Recent research from multiple labs suggests some of the most expensive stressors cows experience are the ones we don’t see.

Automated feeding systems support herd health and performance by delivering consistent, precise rations around the clock on dairies. It can also benefit more targeted feed groups like dry cows and transition heifers so that cows receive the right nutrients at the right time, supporting a stronger start to lactation.

Many feedbunk management factors should be regularly evaluated by farm managers and consultants. The goal is to provide adequate amounts of a uniform ration that all cows can access whenever they access the feedbunk.

It was dairy producer Danny Martins’ vision to design a fully automated feed center where he didn’t have to rely on multiple feeders and could instead entrust just one person.

There are three areas where consistency is necessary to optimize feed management: inventory, mixing of the total mixed ration (TMR) and the feedbunk.

As the majority of the cow herds enter the late-gestation stage of production with rapidly increasing nutritional requirements, the lasting impacts of drought conditions become a priority and major influence on supplementation strategies.

Over recent years, it has become obvious the dairy industry is showing increasing growth in the use of automation, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) as solutions to many challenges on the farm, particularly as related to labor demands.

The year is 2015, and the philosophy for feeding a robotic milking herd is to feed limited energy at the bunks so the cows go to the robots for the remainder of their nutrient requirements; more energy available in the robot means more visits and ultimately more milk.

Review signs of heat stress and prevention methods for cattle, horses and pets.