Extension > Agriculture > Dairy Extension > Feed and Nutrition > Feeding total mixed rations
TMR Feeding management guide
Section
- Dairy Farm Feeding Goal
- Importance of good feed program,
- Keys to successful feeding program
- Mixing the TMR
- Equipment
- Mixing
- Evaluation
- Feed Bunk Management
- Keys to good bunk management
- How much do cows eat
- Adjusting rations
- Feeding schedule
- Forages
- Silo feedout
- Face management
- Sampling forages
- Quality assessments
- Inventory
- Methods to determine Dry Matter (DM)
- DM calculations
- Silage Evaluation Criteria
- Minimize feed cost. Feed is largest expense on dairy farm.
- Feeding management affects profitability of the dairy.
- Feeds and how they are mixed and fed directly influence cow:
- Milk production
- Cow health
- Reproduction
- Transition cow success
- Heifer growth
- Maintain quality of ensiled and other feed ingredients.
- Properly formulated rations to meet animal requirements.
- Trained and conscientious feed technician(s).
- High quality feeds.
- Good equipment.
- Feeding an accurate, consistent mix every day.
- Good record keeping.
- Communication between nutritionist, feed technician and manager.
- Types of TMR
- Types of scales found on TMR mixers for feed weighing
- Mixer requirements
- Must be equipped with an accurate scale.
- Sized to match herd and group needs. Mixers sized to big do not mix small amounts accurately and overfilling mixer results in incomplete mixing and mixing errors.
- Magnets on feed delivery chute to remove metal contamination.
- Easy loading and unloading.
- Sizing a TMR mixer
- Determine amount of feed needed to be mixed.
- Most TMR rations will be between 15 and 20 lb/cubic feet (ft3).
- Lactating cows will eat about 5 to 6 ft3 per day.
- Dry cows eat about 3 to 4 ft3.
- Heifers eat 1 to 3 ft3.
- Example mixer sizing chart.
- TMR mixing Horizontal Mixers – auger and reel mixers
Section I
Dairy Farm Feeding Goal
To provide nutritionally balanced and correctly mixed rations containing high quality ingredients to all animals in the correct amount every day for optimum health and production.
Reasons for Good Feeding Management on Dairy Farms
Keys to a Successful Dairy Farm Feed Program
Section II
TMR – Equipment, Mixing and Evaluation
TMR Mixers
Auger (pictured below)
Uses 3 or 4 augers.
Knives can be attached to auger for hay incorporation.
Wear can affect mixing time and hay mixing ability.
Can greatly reduce particle size of ration with over mixing.
Reel
Uses 2 augers and a reel.
Reel turns opposite of augers.
Knives can be added to auger for hay incorporation.
Less particle reduction than with augers only.
Tumble (Drum)
Spirals and pans on the circumference.
Low horsepower requirement.
Hay must be chopped to 1-3” before adding to the mixer.
Vertical (pictured below)
Handles and processes all hay types well.
Uses vertical auger with knives.
Very aggressive in reducing particle size of ration.
Electronic digital
Accurate to .25%.
Cells must remain sealed.Beam scales
Accurate to 1%
Spring or milk scale – Not used on mixers, but needed for weighing trace mineral premixes, vitamins or other small quantity ingredients before adding to mixer.
| Lactating cow numbers in group | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of feedings per day |
20 | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 |
| Mix Size (ft3) | |||||
| 1 | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 |
| 2 | 50 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| 3 | 33 | 67 | 100 | 133 | 167 |
| 1Assumes 50 lbs DM per cow per day. Feed ration weighs 20 lbs/ft3 at 50% DM and feed at approximately 5.0 ft3 per cow per day. |
|||||
| Rated Mixer Capacity (ft3) |
Length (feet) |
Width (feet) |
Height (feet) |
Discharge Height (inches) |
Loading Height (inches) |
Horsepower Required (HP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drum or Tumble Mixer | ||||||
| 100 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 | 60 | 3.0 |
| 200 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 36 | 72 | 5.0 |
| 300 | 16 | 8 | 9 | 36 | 72 | 7.5 |
| Auger Mixer | ||||||
| 100 | 9 | 6 | 7 | Bottom | Top | 5.0 |
| 200 | 12 | 6 | 7 | Bottom | Top | 12.0 |
| 300 | 14 | 8 | 7 | Bottom | Top | 25.0 |
| 1Consult manufacturer’s literature for more specific information, specific dimensions, and horsepower requirements. For planning purposes only. Information based on manufacturer’s literature. |
||||||
1. Maximum of 3 lbs/cow long hay.
Recommend hay be ground before adding to mixer for best mixing.
2. Ingredient addition order to mixer.
a. Add grains and/or protein mixes first.
b. Small quantity feeds such as minerals, vitamins and additives
should be added next.
c. Forages should be added last.
Chopped or ground hay added before ensiled feeds.
Corn silage added before legume or grass forages.
d. Liquid feeds can be added either before or after forages.
e. Don’t overload mixer.
6
Vertical Mixers
1. Handles large quantities of long hay.
2. Ingredient addition order.
a. Long hay first.
b. Grains and/or protein mixes.
c. Small quantity feeds (minerals vitamins additives).
d. Ensiled or chopped forages.
e. Don’t over mix and reduce forage particle size.
F. TMR Mixing Times – general guidelines as mixers may vary
1. Auger or reel mixers.
a. Augers and reel can be mixing slowly while feed is being loaded.
b. General guideline is to mix 3 to 5 minutes after last ingredient
has been added. Reels may require additional 2 to 4 minutes.
2. Vertical mixers.
a. Place hay or long forage in first and run mixer for 3 to 4 minutes
to chop the forage.
b. Load all other ingredients and then mix for 4 to 8 minutes.
7
G. Accuracy of loading ingredients and TMR mixing are affected by:
1. Scale calibration.
a. Calibrate at least on a monthly basis.
b. Use 100 lb weight for calibration.
c. Compare scale weights to feed inventory.
2. Inaccurate moistures on feeds – snow/rain.
3. Equipment maintenance.
4. Feed build-up in mixer or underneath stationary mixer.
5. Over and under filling mixer.
6. Small ingredient inclusion amounts - Minimum 20 lb addition.
7. Uneven distribution of ingredients due to:
a. Blind spots
b. Auger wear
8. Accuracy of ingredient amount additions. Rations are built on pounds
and grams, but weighed with front-end loaders.
bu We measure in pounds butt miix feed with payloaders, so be careful!
Proper
Mixing
8
Common mixing errors that occur
1. Batch size too small for mixer – minimum batch size should be greater
than 50% maximum capacity.
2. Batch size too large for mixer – largest batch size should be about 90%
of total capacity.
3. Improper sequence of adding feeds.
4. Trying to mix to much hay, especially unchopped or unground.
5. Under mixing or incomplete mixing. A mixer should mix for 3 to 5
minutes after the last ingredient is added.
6. Over mixing causing forage particle size reduction and resulting in a fine
mushy mix.
7. Feeder not accurately weighing feeds into mixer.
H. Evaluate mixing and even feed distribution
Take at least four independent samples from different sections of the bunk. Do
not combine. Determine particle size on each sample.
9
1. Particle analysis.
Check for variation from sample to sample.
10% maximum allowable variation.
TMR particle size guidelines - 3 box separator (Penn State)
Upper sieve 6 to 10%
Middle sieve greater than 50%
Bottom pan less than 40%
For 4 box separators:
Top sieve 6 to 10%
Middle sieve 30 to 50%
Lower 30 to 50%
Bottom pan less than 20%
2. Test TMR samples for nutrient content. Suggested base analysis
would include CP, ADF, NDF, Ca, P, and sodium (Na). Sodium is very
low in most feeds, so amount in ration usually comes from only salt and
buffers. Check samples for variation and compare to formulated ration
nutrient specifications.
3 Box System
10
PARTICLE SEPARATION WORKSHEET
Penn State Particle Separator
Sample
Weight (wt)
retained % on sieve Comments
Example – 3 box
Sample wt –
tare wt, grams
a, b, c, x 100
d Targets
Top sieve - >.75 inches a 10 10/200 x 100 = 5 6 – 10%
Middle sieve - .31 inches b 110 110/200 x 100 = 55 >50%
Pan < .31 inches c 80 80/200 x 100 = 40 <40%
Total sample wt d 200
Cumulative percentage size distribution
% below top sieve e 100 – (a/d x100) 100 – 5 = 95% 95%
% below middle sieve f e- (b/d x 100) 95 – 55 = 40% 40%
Sample
Top sieve - >.75 inches a
Middle sieve - .31 inches b
Pan < .31 inches c
Example – 4 box
Sample wt – tare
wt, grams
a, b, c, or d x 100
e Targets
Top sieve - >.75 inches a 10 10/200 x 100 = 5 6 – 10%
Middle sieve - .31 inches b 80 80/200 x 100 = 40 30 – 50%
Lower sieve - .07 inches c 80 80/200 x 100 = 40 30 – 50%
Pan - <.07 inches d 30 30/200 x 100 = 15 < 20%
Total sample wt e 200
Cumulative percentage size distribution
% below top sieve f 100 – (a/e x100) 100 – 5 = 95% 95%
% below middle sieve g f - (b/e x 100) 95 – 40 = 55% 55%
% below lower sieve h g – (c/e x 100) 55 – 40 = 15% 15%
Sample
Top sieve - >.75 inches a
Middle sieve - .31 inches b
Lower sieve - .07 inches c
Pan - <.07 inches d
Total sample wt e
Cumulative percentage size distribution
% below top sieve f
% below middle sieve g
% below lower sieve h
11
I. Equipment check
Routinely check the condition of the TMR mixer:
⇒ Condition of augers, sharpness if mixer is to grind hay.
⇒ Condition of knives on augers.
⇒ Condition of paddles.
⇒ Wear on sides of TMR.
⇒ Scales for accuracy.
⇒ See owner or equipment dealer manual for specific maintenance
needs.
J. TMR Safety
1. Because a TMR has many moving parts, safety is an issue.
2. Use caution and avoid wearing loose fitting clothes with the following
parts of a TMR:
a. PTO
b. Auger
c. Open tops
3. Watch for people and other equipment
a. Tractors
b. Trucks
c. Front end loaders
K. Disease control
1. Avoid contamination of feed with manure
a. Driving across alleys or manure contaminates tractor tires.
b. Do not drive on feed.
c. Do not scrape feed mangers or load feed with same loaders used
to scrape manure.
2. Avoid contamination of feed with soil borne organisms
a. Silage in earthen
bunkers may cause
disease and intake
problems.
b. Do not mix dirt from
floors and walls into
feed.
12
SECTION III
Feed Bunk Management
Good bunk management is one of the keys to optimizing milk production and
maximizing profit of the farm. The goals of feed bunk management are to:
• Encourage maximum dry matter intake
• Present a consistent ration
• Minimize waste
• Prevent disease transmission
A. Keys to good feed bunk management
1. Cows have access to feed at least 18-20 hours per day
2. Cows have adequate bunk space
a. 18 to 24 inches per milk cow
b. 24 to 36 inches dry and transition cows
c. 18 inches for heifers
3. Feed is uniformly mixed and evenly distributed along the entire length of the
bunk
4. Feed pushed up at least 5 times per day if TMR is fed once per day. Cows
can reach 28 inches for feed in the least restrictive feed mangers
5. Fresh or pushed up feed should be available after milking
6. Feed should always be cool and smell fresh
7. Refusals or uneaten feed
a. Old uneaten feed should be removed at least once every 24 hours
before new fresh feed is fed.
b. Appearance and particle size of refused feed should be similar to
fresh TMR being fed. Large particles and forage stems in refusal
indicate cows are sorting feed.
c. 24 hour refusal weight should be less than 3% of fed TMR
d. Refusals should look like original TMR if refed to low milk production
group cows
e. Refusals can be fed to heifers, but do not feed to dry cows
13
B. Feeding times
1. Cows eat their major amounts of feed after milkings, therefore fresh or
pushed up feed should be readily available to them at this time.
2. Cows can be fed a TMR once a day if the feed stays fresh and no heating of
TMR occurs in the bunk.
3. In hot weather cows eat the most during late evening and early morning.
4. Twice a day feeding of TMR is preferred, especially in warm weather.
Feeding a TMR more than twice a day is not necessary.
C. Feed manger facts and information
1. Feed bunks should have smooth eating surfaces
2. Feed manger should be 4-6 inches above cows feet
3. Position feed rail a minimum of 48 inches above cow floor alley. Watch front
of withers for hair loss indicating cows are reaching for feed or rail is too low
and constantly rubs on cows while eating.
4. Neck rails should be smooth and placed about 8 inches ahead of cows feet
5. Headlocks vs rail – management decision
6. Slope headlocks out about 20º away from cow
D. Feed intake
1. Major factors affecting feed intake
Environment – 10%
Milk production – 45%
Feed – 22%
Cow BW, BCS – 23%
14
2. Cows eat dry matter (DM). They will eat different amounts of the as fed TMR
depending on what the DM content of the TMR is. The optimum TMR DM is
between 47% and 58% DM. TMR’s lower in DM than 47% generally have
wet poor quality forages that reduce DM intake and TMR’s drier than 58%
allow the cows to easily sort feeds. Field DM intake guidelines are:
a. Milking cows
DM intake = 0.02 x body weight + (milk ÷ 3)
b. Dry cows
DM intake = 0.02 x body weight
c. Growing heifers – 6 months to 22 months
6 months - .03 x body weight
To calculate DM intake for heifers between 7 and 21 months,
decrease the 0.03 factor by 0.0005/month after 6 months
12 months - 0.027 x body weight
18 months – 0.024 x body weight
22 months – 0.022 x body weight
3. Cows should be fed 2 to 3% more than expected intake.
a. Feeding more than 3% over intake amounts waste feed.
b. Good feed mangers can feed to 1 to 2% more than cows will eat.
However, on a daily basis this requires good feed bunk management to
avoid under feeding cows.
c. Feed amounts should be monitored and evaluated daily. Amounts
should never be increased or decreased by more than 5lb/cow/day. A
good guideline is to evaluate the feed amounts fed for two consecutive
days and then base the decision to increase or decrease amounts on
the two day change in amounts eaten.
4. Why cows vary in daily feed intake amounts:
a. Changes in barometric pressure. Cows eat more as low pressure
systems approach or before storms.
b. Cold temperatures (below freezing) increase feed intakes. High
temperatures (above 75º) lower feed intake. Intakes remained
decreased for 2 days following heat stress.
c. DM content of feeds, particularly forages, change. As feeds get wetter,
cows eat more total as fed feed, but not more DM.
15
d. Average daily as fed feed amounts for dairy animals
i. Lactating cows – 90 to 120 lb/cow
ii. Fresh cows – 80 to 100 lb/cow
iii. Dry cows – 50 to 80 lb/cow
iv. Growing heifers – 20 to 50 lb/heifer
e. Social behavior changes. New cows added to group result in social
adjustments and some cows eating less because of new dominance or
fighting. Cow changes made to pen or group – number and days in milk
5. TMR management reasons feed intakes of cows change daily.
a. Inconsistent mixing of feeds. Not feeding the same ration every day.
b. DM content of feed change and ingredient amount not adjusted for in
TMR mix.
c. Cow numbers in the pen change.
i. Cows added to pen - appears as cows are eating more.
ii. Cows removed from pen - appears as feed intakes are decreasing.
E. Calculating Dry Matter Intake (DMI) of TMR fed cows
Accurate measurements of DMI are necessary to balance diets and
⇒ Prevent over or underfeeding of nutrients
⇒ Promote efficient and economical nutrient usage
TMR
1. Determine DM content (%) of TMR.
2. Determine actual weight of TMR eaten over 24 hours.
a. Amount fed to group during 24 hour period.
b. Measure amount refused after 24 hours.
c. Subtract refusal weight from TMR fed weight to get amount consumed.
3. Divide consumed amount by number of cows fed.
4. Multiply consumed amount per cow by DM% of TMR.
16
Actual DMI and the DMI used in formulating a ration (ration DMI) should not differ
by more than 5% or about 2.5 lb/cow. If amounts differ by more than 5%,
determine why and reformulate ration using new actual DMI. Example:
1. TMR DM% = 62
2. TMR fed = 5282 lbs
3. TMR refused = 422 lbs
4. TMR consumed = 5282 - 422 = 4860 lbs as fed TMR
5. 4860 lbs of TMR consumed by 63 cows = 77.1 lbs/cow/ day
6. 77.1 lbs x TMR DM% (.62) = 47.8 lb DMI/cow/day
Determining Dry Matter Intake
⎟ ⎟⎠
⎞
⎜ ⎜⎝
⎛ −
# of cows
TMRFed TMRRefused x DM % of TMR
________________________________________________________________
Example: Sixty-three cows are fed 5282 lbs. of TMR. The next day 422 lbs. are
cleaned up. The TMR is 62% dry matter.
⎟⎠
⎞
⎜⎝
⎛
63
5282 - 422 x .62 = 47.8 lbs. per cow per day
______________________________________________________+_________
Determine if this is similar to the DMI for which the ration is formulated.
Possible reasons for differences:
�� Change in forage moistures
�� Inaccurate count of cow numbers
�� Some cows in very early stage of lactation
�� Weather factors
�� Accessibility to feed
�� Change in forage quality
17
F. Making Ration Adjustments
Feeds and particularly forages will often change in moisture or DM content
necessitating a change in the as fed feeding amount in the TMR. The moisture
or DM content of feeds can be determined using the information in the appendix
chart. Once the new DM content of the feed is known, adjustments to the
amounts of as-fed feed to include in the TMR mix can be made using the
following moisture chart or by doing the following calculations.
Example: 25 lbs (“wet basis”) of the 55% DM haylage is fed/cow.
How many lbs of haylage DM is being fed?
DM Amount = lbs of feed (“wet basis”) X % DM
100
DM Amount = 25 lbs X 55% DM = 25lbs x .55
100
Answer - DM Amount = 13.75 pounds
If the haylage decreased in moisture to 50% or 50% DM. How many lbs must be
fed to maintain 13.75 lbs of DM from haylage in the ration?
New “wet basis” lbs of feed = Target dry lbs of forage
New DM% / 100
New “wet basis” lbs of feed = 13.75 lbs = 13.75 lbs
50% / 100 .50
Answer - New “wet basis” lbs of feed = 27.5 lbs of haylage testing
50% DM
Alternative method:
New “wet basis” pounds of feed = Previous forage DM X lbs fed
New forage DM
New “wet basis” lbs of feed = 55% X 25 = 27.5 lb haylage at 50% DM
50%
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Adjusting Diets for Feed Dry Matter Changes - Option A
⎟ ⎟⎠
⎞
⎜⎝
⎛
New drymatter %
Original lbs. of feed fed x Previous%drymatter = New lbs. of feed fed
________________________________________________________________
Example: You are currently feeding 30 lbs. per cow of 40% dry matter haylage. You
test the haylage and the dry matter has changed to 50% dry matter.
How much haylage should you feed?
⎟⎠
⎞
⎜⎝
⎛
0.50
30 x 0 .40 = 24 lbs. per cow per day
________________________________________________________________
Equation:
1. Original lbs. of TMR fed A .
2. Previous % dry matter of feed B .
3. New dry matter % of feed C .
⎟⎠
⎞
⎜⎝
⎛
C
A x B = New lbs. of feed fed.
Adjusting Diets for Feed Dry Matter Changes - Option B
⎟ ⎟⎠
⎞
⎜⎝
⎛
New drymatter %
lbs of feed drymatter fed = lbs. of feed fed
________________________________________________________________
Example: Your ration sheet shows that you should be feeding 12 lbs. of haylage dry
matter. You test the haylage and it is 40% dry matter.
How much should you feed:
⎟⎠
⎞
⎜⎝
⎛
.40
12 = feed 30 lbs. per cow per day
________________________________________________________________
Equation:
1. Lbs. of dry matter to feed A .
2. Dry matter % of feed B .
⎟⎠
⎞
⎜⎝⎛
B
A = lbs. of feed fed
19
G. Feeding Schedule
Having a regular schedule for feeding is important. Cows like consistency and it is
easier to determine if feed intakes are changing. Also, setting up routine schedules
helps feed technicians and all employees know daily routines and job expectations.
Below is an example of a feeding schedule worksheet.
Daily Feeding and Push Up Schedule
Milking Feeding-1 Feeding-2 Feed
Time Pen # Pen# Pen# Pushup
4:30 am 4 ALL
5:30 am 5,6
6:30 am 6,7 ALL
7:30 am 8 Premix
8:30 am Cleanup Pushout 1-4 5-8
9:30 am 1 Feed 1,2
10:30 am 2 Feed 3,4 5-8
11:30 am 3
12:30 pm 4 Pushout 5-8
1:30 pm 5,6 Feed 5,6
2:30 pm 6,7 Feed 7,8 1-4
3:30 pm8
4:30 pm cleanup
5:30 pm 1 Feed 1,2
6:30 pm 2 Feed 3,4 ALL
7:30 pm 3 Premix
8:30 pm 4 Premix
9:30 pm 5,6 Feed 5,6
10:30 pm 6,7 Feed 7,8
11:30 pm 8
12:30 am cleanup ALL
1:30 am 1
2:30 am 2 ALL
3:30 am3
Fresh feed should always be available when cows return from the parlor.
20
SECTION IV
Bunker and Pile Forage Management
A. Silo Feedout Management
Face or surface management of ensiled feeds is extremely important in
providing cattle with fresh quality feed each day. The goal is to minimize silage
exposure to oxygen that allows it to heat and deteriorate. Also, good face
management means separating and removing moldy or spoiled feed from feed
that is to be fed.
Guidelines for good face management:
1. Keep a smooth tight face.
a. Do not drive into the face and lift the whole face. This loosens the
face and allows oxygen to enter the face resulting in heating and
secondary fermentation. The picture below is an example of bad
forage management in a bunker that results in poor quality forage
being fed to cows and excessive forage loss.
b. Scrape silo face downward (top to bottom)
c. Scrape side to side (perpendicular) evenly across the face of the
silo. when possible
d. Face shavers are a good investment
e. Work on small sections of silage face at a time
21
The following picture is of a face shaver scraping off forage and leaving a
very good clean edge or face.
2. Remove 3 days of cover (tire and plastic) at a time. Discard spoiled and
moldy feed from top of pile or bunker before shaving the face.
3. Feed a minimum of 4 to 6 inches off the face daily
a. Size of working face must be matched to the needs of the herd
b. Height and width of the bunker are important
4. Always clean up and feed loose feed before shaving more. Try not to
remove more feed from the silo surface than what will be fed in a day.
Excellent silo top surface and face management
22
B. Sampling forages for DM and nutrient analysis
Approximately 100 to 200 grams of sample are needed for DM determination
and 1 to 2 lb are needed for nutrient analysis in laboratories.
Sampling instructions for baled hay:
1. Sample each lot separately.
Definition of a hay lot: Forage harvested within one day from one field.
Hay of the same cutting, the same stage of maturity, similar in the amount
of grass or weeds and exposed to the same environmental conditions
(rain damage). A lot is similar in quality characteristics – odor, molds,
color, stem size and texture, and leafiness.
2. Use bale corer rather than a grab sample to reduce sampling error. Bale
corers result in less separation of leaf and stem material.
3. Take core from center at the end of the bale. Leaves concentrate toward
the tight and solid sides of bale resulting in sampling error.
4. Sample several bales. Take 15 - 20 cores/lot and combine into one
sample to reduce variation. Do not divide the sample after it is combined
as leaves and stems may separate.
23
Sampling instructions for ensiled material (bunker silo):
1. Collect 4 to 6 total samples from across the whole face of the silo or pile.
Collect half from the top layer and half from the bottom layer. Grab
several handfuls from freshly exposed forage after the day’s feeding has
been removed. Do not sample spoiled material on top of the silo.
2. Combine samples and mix well. Seal 1 to 2 lb of sample tightly in a quart
or half gallon plastic bag and store in a cold place until sent to lab for
analysis.
C. Silage quality assessment (see Appendix for additional information)
1. Monitoring silages for quality – sensory evaluation
a. Silage should not be steaming or hot. Temperature should be no
more than 20º above air temperature.
b. Smell or odor of feed – Most silages should have a sweet to slight
acidic smell.
c. Color of feed – bright green indicates very wet feeds with poor
fermentation while dark brown to black indicate heat damage and
loss of protein and energy.
d. Amount of moisture in the feed – running silos
e. Presence of mold
f. Texture, chop length, or grind of the feed
g. Presence of weeds
h. Presence of other foreign material
sampling sites
24
D. Forage Inventory Management
1. Goals of a forage inventory management program:
⇒ Minimize shrink and spoilage
⇒ Maintain high quality feedstuffs
⇒ Prevent rapid, dramatic changes in rations
⇒ Prevent running out of feed
⇒ Allows for planned purchase of forages and opportunity buying
2. Developing a Forage Inventory
a. Segregate or identify inventoried forages by quality
b. An inventory done 3 or 4 times a year helps avoid dramatic ration
changes caused by poor allocation of forage
c. Mark storage systems as feed is being harvested by field and/or
cutting as this helps monitor inventory and helps determine when
ration adjustments are needed
d. Estimating forage needs
1) Determine the number and class of animals to be fed
2) Multiple number by forage quantities in tables below
3) Allow for feeding and storage losses
Daily forage DM needs for replacement heifers1
Item
0 to 3
months
3 to 12
months
12 to 24
months
Total/day 2 yr.
basis
Amounts/day over 24
months
Forage DM 1.4 lb 10.0 lb 25.0 lb 16.4 lb 25.0 lb
1 Amounts include 25% for storage and feeding loss.
2 If planning forage to harvest and store, include allowance for harvest and storage losses.
Forage dry matter needed per cow in storage1
Cow
weight DMI Feeding losses
-------------DM/Cow/Day------------
5% 10% 15% 20%
1100 20.4 21.5 22.7 24.0 25.5
1200 22.2 23.4 24.7 26.1 27.8
1300 24.1 25.4 26.8 28.4 30.1
1400 25.9 27.3 28.8 30.5 32.4
1500 27.8 29.3 31.9 32.7 34.8
1 Adapted from Howard, Wagner and Larsen, Managing Dairy Feed Inventory, Univ. of Wisconsin.
25
3. Determine forage supplies.
a. Amount of silage in a bunker or pile is affected by the density
b. Recommended densities for silages1
Hay Silage Corn Silage
Item Recommended.2 Recommended.2
Dry Matter (%) 35-45 30-35
Wet Density (lb/ft3) 35-43 40-50
Dry Density (lb/ft3) 14-15 14-15
1 Holmes & Muck, Engineering Notes, 1998
2 Rec. = Recommended
c. Methods to Determine Forage Density
1) Mark silo wall or floor is marked at the silage face
2) Measure the average height and face of the silage face
3) Record the weight of silage added to the feed wagon for 5-7
days
4) Measure the average height of the face again and the length of
bunker from which the silage was removed
5) Using the average dimensions calculate the density as:
Wet Density
(lb/ft3) = Weight Removed (lb.)
[Avg. Height (ft)] x [Avg. Width (ft)] x [Length (distance between marks in ft.)]
Dry Matter Density (lb/ft3) = Wet Density (lb/ft3) x DM %
An alternative method is to use a silage probe
• Extract several silage samples from the center of the face (one half of the depth)
• Determine weight of samples
• Measuring the depth of the holes and size of the probe
• Determine silage density with following equation
Wet Density (lb/ft3) = Weight Removed (lb)
{[(π x D x D) ÷ 4] x L}
Where: D = Probe inside diameter (ft)
L = Hole length or depth into silage face (ft)
π = 3.14
26
d. Estimating amounts of forage in storage
• Bunkers - Use Table A or 15 to 18 lbs. DM/ft3
• Piles - Use Table B or 14 lbs. DM/ft3
• Bags – Use manufacturer estimates or following:
8 ft. Diameter - .33 lbs. DM per linear foot
9 ft. Diameter - .37 lbs. DM per linear foot
10 ft. Diameter - .63 lbs. DM per linear foot
Table A. Bunker silo capacities1
Average Depth of Silage in Bunker
Average
width 6 ft. 8 ft. 10 ft. 12 ft. 14 ft. 16 ft. 18 ft. 20 ft.
--------------------------Tons DM Per One Foot of Length-----------------------------
12 Feet .54 .72 .90 1.1 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.8
15 Feet .68 .90 1.1 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.3
20 Feet .90 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.7 3.0
30 Feet 1.4 1.8 2.3 2.7 3.2 3.6 4.1 4.5
40 Feet 1.8 2.4 3.0 3.6 4.2 4.8 5.4 6.0
50 Feet 2.3 3.0 3.8 4.5 5.3 6.0 6.8 7.5
60 Feet 2.7 3.6 4.5 5.4 6.3 7.2 8.1 9.0
70 Feet 3.2 4.2 5.3 6.3 7.4 8.4 9.5 10.5
80 Feet 3.6 4.8 6.0 7.2 8.4 9.6 10.8 12.0
90 Feet 4.1 5.4 6.8 8.1 9.5 10.8 12.2 13.5
100 Feet 4.5 6.0 7.5 9.0 10.5 12.0 13.5 15.0
1 Calculated at 15 lbs. DM/ft3
27
Table B. Approximate silage stack dimensions and capacities1
Average
Stack Height
(ft)
Maximum
Slope Length
(ft)
Top
Width
(ft)
Bottom
Width
(ft)
Silage DM
Mid-Stack
6 Inch Slice2
6 14.5 6 35 861
8 37 945
10 39 1029
12 41 1113
14 43 1197
16 45 1281
7 16.9 12 46 1417
14 48 1515
16 50 1613
18 52 1711
20 54 1809
8 19.3 14 53 1866
16 55 1978
18 57 2090
20 59 2202
22 61 2314
24 63 2426
26 65 2538
28 67 2650
30 69 2762
10 24.1 16 64 2811
18 66 2951
20 68 3091
22 70 3231
24 72 3371
26 74 3511
28 76 3651
30 78 3791
32 80 3931
34 82 4071
36 84 4211
38 86 4351
40 88 4491
1 Adapted from Chastain & Wilcke
2 Dry matter density of 14 lb. DM/ft3
28
SECTION V
Record Management and Feed Programs
A. Record management
1. Feed records are important for good daily management on dairies as well as
for problem solving. Feed record uses:
a. Feed and forage inventory management
b. Calculating feed costs and efficiencies
c. Monitoring production performance
d. Making daily adjustments in feeding amounts to minimize wastage
2. Daily feed information feeders should be recording
a. Date
b. Feeder name
c. Actual total amount of ration mixed and fed per pen or group
d. Weighback amount from pen/group
e. Number of animals in pen/group
f. Time fed
g. AN example worksheet follows
29
Group: Month:
Date
Feeder
initials
lb TMR
fed
Time
fed lb weighback
Cow
number
Feed
comments
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
30
B. Feed management software
1. Feeding information can be either hand recorded or electronically captured
through the use of computer software programs. Software programs have an
advantage in they collect more information than what is normally hand
recorded and they can immediately summarize the information in many
different ways. This is a valuable asset in inventory control, making sure the
correct ration and amounts of ingredients are fed and as performance monitor
for the feeder.
2. Useful program features to feeders on a daily basis
a. Forage and other wet ingredient DM's can be easily updated and feeding
amounts are adjusted automatically
b. Batch mix sizes are easily changed to account for changes in total feed
intakes or cow numbers per pen
c. Monitoring of individual ingredient amounts and total batch sized mixed
3. Useful program features for management
a. Daily recordings and monitoring of as fed and DM feed intakes
b. Inventory management
c. Feeder performance accuracy
d. Ingredient mixing errors and identifying which ingredients are hardest to
achieve accuracy on
e. Time required for feed mixing and delivery
4. Feed Management Software
a. EZfeedTM
DHI Computing Service, Inc
P.O. Box 51427
Provo, UT 84605-1427
www.dhiprovo.com
b. Feed Supervisor
1733 90th Avenue
Dresser WI, 54009
www.feedsupervisor.com
c. Feed WatchTM
Valley Agricultural Software
442 North O Street
Tulare, CA 93274
www.vas.com
d. TMR Tracker
Digi-Star
790 West Rockwell Avenue
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538
www.digi-star.com
31
DAIRY – DAILY MILK/FEED INFORMATION (Month:______________)
Cow Numbers Milk %DM
Day Tank Fed Mixed
Tank
(lbs)
/Cow
(lbs)
Fat
(%)
Prot
(%) CS Hylg Comments
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Example of a daily management worksheet
32
SECTION VI
Appendix
Definitions
Dry Matter (DM) All moisture has been removed from the feed. The product is at zero
moisture. DM is the percentage of a forage or feed that is not water.
All nutrients are contained in the DM portion of the feed. Nutrient
density of rations is usually reported on a DM basis.
As Fed Basis Moisture is present. The nutrient content of feeds reported
Or Wet Basis on an "as fed" basis is lower than the DM basis as the
nutrients have been diluted by the moisture content of the feed.
Air Dry Feeds are assumed to contain 10% moisture, 90% dry matter.
Dry Matter
Intake (DMI) The quantity of feed a cow can be expected to consume in one day.
All nutrients to meet the animal’s nutritional requirements are in the
daily DM an animal consumes.
Dry Matter Determination
• Dry matter is a critical component of feeding systems management
• Accuracy of the diet being delivered to the cows is largely dependent on the DM
content of the feeds
• In order to accurately determine DMI, feeds must be monitored regularly in order to
meet dietary needs
⇒ Moisture contents of forages seldom remain constant
⇒ Haylage may be highly variable due to the drying which occurs during harvest
⇒ Corn silage may have less variation because it is normally harvested in a much
shorter period of time
• Forage testing labs will report moisture and DM on feed test results
⇒ Helpful in initial formulations
⇒ Moisture may vary for subsequent formulations
• Changes in DM of one feed can alter the nutrient balance of the ration
• On-farm testing can be accomplished using a microwave or Koster tester
33
Procedures for using a microwave are as follows:
1. Collect representative sample of product to be tested.
2. If not chopped, cut forage into 2-3 inch lengths.
3. Accurately weigh sample using small scale (grams scale is ideal). Record the "as
fed" weight.
4. Place the wet sample on paper plate or microwaveable container; spread in thin
layer, and place in microwave.
5. Place 8 oz glass of water (3/4 full) in corner of microwave.
6. Heat forage sample as follows:
a. For silages or other high moisture feeds (25 to 50% DM):
- Heat for 4 minutes
- Remove from oven. If sample feels dry, weigh and record dry weight.
- Stir feed, rotate plate and return to microwave.
- Heat for one minute.
- Continue weighing and reheating until sample weight does not change.
b. Hays or haylages with DM greater than 65%.
- Follow same procedure; however, heat for 2 minutes initially and reheat
at 30 second intervals.
7. Calculate moisture or DM%.
If a microwave is to be used, it is suggested a small unit be purchased for moisture testing
only and not use the household microwave.
34
Procedures for using a Koster moisture tester are as follows:
1. Collect representative sample of product to be tested.
2. If not chopped, cut forage into 2-3 inch lengths.
3. Accurately weigh sample using small scale (grams scale is ideal). Record the "as
fed" weight.
4. Place a small amount of feed in the specimen container of the Koster tester.
5. Place container with feed on top of the heating unit. Cover.
6. Dry sample for approximately 15 - 30 minutes. (Time will vary according to
moisture of the sample).
7. After the initial drying, weigh the sample to determine the “First Reading”. Record
this number.
8. Return the feed to the heater and dry another 5 – 10 minutes.
9. After this time, weigh the sample to determine the “Second Reading”.
a. If the Second Reading is the same as the First Reading, the sample is dry
and the DM % can be calculated.
b. If the number is less than the First Reading, the sample is not dry. Repeat
step 8. When the weight no longer decreases, the sample is dry and the DM
% can be calculated.
10. Calculate moisture or DM %.
Calculating moisture or DM % from microwave or Koster tester
1. Record weight of container (A)
2. Zero weight of container and record weight of wet feed in container (B)
3. Record weight of dry feed with container (C)
DM% = (C) – (A) x 100
(B)
35
DM Calculations
To make adjustments as a result of moisture change so ration stability can be maintained,
accurate calculations are necessary.
Example:
Assume a 100 gram haylage sample was tested in the microwave. The initial weight was
100 grams of feed on a "wet basis". The final dry weight was 55 grams. What were the
moisture and DM contents of the haylage?
DM = Dry weight X 100
"Wet basis' weight
DM = 55 grams X 100
100 grams
DM = 55%
If the DM of the haylage is 55%, what is the moisture content?
Moisture = 100 - DM %
Moisture = 100 - 55%
Moisture = 45%
36
Dry Matter (DM)Conversion Chart. This chart helps calculate the new amount of feed needed to match the old amount
when the DM content of the feed changed. Step 1 - Find the old DM of the feed in the left hand column. Step 2 – find the
new DM of the feed across the top of the chart. Step 3 – read down the new DM column until it intersects the row with the
old DM. The factor listed is multiplied by the old weight of the feed to get the new feed weight. For example, a grass
silage was 45% DM and is now 40% DM. The factor is 1.13. If 430 lb of this feed was previous used in a bTMR batch,
the new amount is 430 lb x 1.13 = 486 lb.
% Moisture or DM of New Feed
Dry Matter 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20
Moisture 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
80 20 1.00 1.07 1.14 1.23 1.33 1.45 1.60 1.78 2.00 2.29 2.67 3.20 4.00
75 25 0.94 1.00 1.07 1.15 1.25 1.36 1.50 1.67 1.88 2.14 2.50 3.00 3.75
70 30 0.88 0.93 1.00 1.08 1.17 1.27 1.40 1.56 1.75 2.00 2.33 2.80 3.50
65 35 0.81 0.87 0.93 1.00 1.08 1.18 1.30 1.44 1.63 1.86 2.17 2.60 3.25
60 40 0.75 0.80 0.86 0.92 1.00 1.09 1.20 1.33 1.50 1.71 2.00 2.40 3.00
55 45 0.69 0.73 0.79 0.85 0.92 1.00 1.10 1.22 1.38 1.57 1.83 2.20 2.75
50 50 0.63 0.67 0.71 0.77 0.83 0.91 1.00 1.11 1.25 1.43 1.67 2.00 2.50
45 55 0.56 0.60 0.64 0.69 0.75 0.82 0.90 1.00 1.13 1.29 1.50 1.80 2.25
40 60 0.50 0.53 0.57 0.62 0.67 0.73 0.80 0.89 1.00 1.14 1.33 1.60 2.00
35 65 0.44 0.47 0.50 0.54 0.58 0.64 0.70 0.78 0.88 1.00 1.17 1.40 1.75
30 70 0.38 0.40 0.43 0.46 0.50 0.55 0.60 0.67 0.75 0.86 1.00 1.20 1.50
25 75 0.31 0.33 0.36 0.38 0.42 0.45 0.50 0.56 0.63 0.71 0.83 1.00 1.25
20 80 0.25 0.27 0.29 0.31 0.33 0.36 0.40 0.44 0.50 0.57 0.67 0.80 1.00
% Moisture or DM of Previous Feed
15 85 0.19 0.20 0.21 0.23 0.25 0.27 0.30 0.33 0.38 0.43 0.50 0.60 0.75
37
SILAGE EVALUATION CRITERIA
pH
4.4 to 5.0 (alfalfa)
3.8 to 4.2 (corn, cereal grains)
Fermentation acids
Acid Level in silage (% DM basis)
Lactic 6 – 8% for wet silage (> 65% moisture)
3 – 4% for wilted silage (< 55% moisture)
1 – 3% for high moisture grain
Acetic < 2% for forages
< .1% for high moisture grain
Butyric < .1%
Propionic 0 – 1%
Silage temperature
No greater than 15 – 20oF above ambient temperature at ensiling
Microbial analysis (colony forming units/gram of silage, as fed basis)
Total Aerobes: < 100,000 cfu/g silage
Ex. Bacillus species
Molds: < 100,000 cfu/g silage
Ex. Fusarium, Gibberella, Aspergillus, and Penicillium species
Yeasts: < 100,000 cfu/g silage
Ex. Acid metabolizing species Candida and Hansenula are
more concern than fermentative species like Saccharomyces
and Torulopsis
38
TABLE OF COMMON SILAGE QUALITY PROBLEMS
Symptom Cause
Hot Silage > 120°F Heat is generated by presence of oxygen occurring with mold/yeast/ or
bacteria growth
• Slow filling
• Structure air leaks
• Low moisture
• Overly mature crop
• Long chop length
• Poor distribution or compaction
Carmelized, dark brown kernels in
corn silage
Dark colored haylage with tobacco
smell
Excessive heat damage caused by entrapment of oxygen in silage
• Low moisture
• Long chop
• Poor compaction
Moldy silage Oxygen present
• Ensiling stressed crops with high yeast and mold
• Slow filling
• Slow feedout
• Long chop
• Low moisture
• Poor compaction
Rancid milk odor Clostridial fermentation with production of butyric acid
• High moisture
• Low plant sugar
• Inadequate lactic acid bacteria
Vinegar odor Fermentation dominated by bacteria which ferment sugars to acetic acid
(vinegar)
• Wet silage
• Inadequate lactic acid bacteria
• Low crop sugars
Alcohol odor Fermentation dominated by yeast which ferment sugars to alcohol
• Presence of yeast
• Dry silage
• Poor compaction
• Slow feedout
Frozen silage High moisture
• Extended respiration period
• Bruised crop cells
Poor bunk life Slow feedout
• High mold and yeast
• Stressed crop
• Low moisture
• Poor compaction
• Low plant sugar
Seepage/run-off High crop moisture
• Dull chopper knives causing torn cells
• Overpacking causing bruised cells
Poor intake Clostridial fermentation
• High ammonia-N content
• Overly wet or dry silage
• High fiber content
• Mold contamination
• Toxic weeds or nitrates
Source: Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Hybrid International
