TMR audits started from a single question: Why did dairies that just bought a new mixer see a bump in milk production? Today, it is a fundamental tool that helps us use our equipment and data more effectively and better support our people and cows. Curiosity and a willingness to feed cows better will continue to influence what comes next.

When a short, wet 2019 wheat harvest left dairies struggling with expensive and moldy straw, one farm decided there had to be a better way to feed dry cows than their Goldilocks diet. That challenge sparked an idea that would ultimately set the operation apart by separating corn silage into fodder and fines.

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.

Feed costs account for more than 45% of production costs and approach nearly 60% with high feed costs. Obviously, dairy income is directly proportional to milk volume, composition and quality produced on the farm.

All we have to do is balance the ration to maximize fat, right? Regarding the number of variables involved in ration formulation, few diets are ever truly balanced. Consider the word “optimized” instead. Let’s look at several key nutrients that must be optimized for maximum butterfat production.

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

Most dairy farms feed carefully balanced diets that are formulated to meet the dietary needs of their cows, depending on their age and stage of lactation.

In today’s economic environment of high commodity prices and extreme input costs, producers must look for ways to get the most from their herd. Feeding a balanced ration during peak lactation can maximize milk production and your ROI.