Total mixed ration (TMR) is a method of

feeding Eating (also known as consuming) is the ingestion of food. In biology, this is typically done to provide a heterotrophic organism with energy and nutrients and to allow for growth. Animals and other heterotrophs must eat in order to survive – ...

beef Beef is the culinary name for meat from cattle (''Bos taurus''). Beef can be prepared in various ways; Cut of beef, cuts are often used for steak, which can be cooked to varying degrees of doneness, while trimmings are often Ground beef, grou ...

and

dairy A dairy is a place where milk is stored and where butter, cheese, and other dairy products are made, or a place where those products are sold. It may be a room, a building, or a larger establishment. In the United States, the word may also des ...

cattle Cattle (''Bos taurus'') are large, domesticated, bovid ungulates widely kept as livestock. They are prominent modern members of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus '' Bos''. Mature female cattle are calle ...

. A TMR diet achieves a wide distribution of nutrients in uniform feed rather than switching between several types. A cow's ration should include good quality forages, a balance of grains and proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Management

The number of groups of animals to be part of a TMR diet depend on existing herd size, the layout of barn, and loafing areas. Typically a dairy barn will have high, medium and low production lactating cows, far off and close up dry cows, and pre-breeding and post-breeding heifers. These groups are essential as some (such as first lactation cows) don't do well in overcrowded feed areas. When working with two or three groups it is easier as the caretaker can feed the low costing forage to the low group and the high quality forage to the higher group to increase the overall health and performance of the cows. For dry cows this system can minimize metabolic and nutritional disorders in calving and the post-partpartum period. A pre-breeding and post-breeding system is essential for heifers to ensure proper growth and development. It is important for pre-breeding heifers to have an energy- and protein-dense diet, while post-breeding heifers lack the ability to consume high forage diets.

Summary

*Complete rations feature the blended approach; all

forage Forage is a plant material (mainly plant leaves and stems) eaten by grazing livestock. Historically, the term ''forage'' has meant only plants eaten by the animals directly as pasture, crop residue, or immature cereal crops, but it is also used m ...

s, concentrates, protein supplements, minerals and vitamins are mixed and offered as a single feed. *Complete-ration systems can save labour and reduce overall feeding costs. *It is extremely important to keep the mixture exactly the same day after day and to make big changes gradually. *Early detection of problems with the ration system is possible by observing the bulk tank milk level after each milking. * Forage analysis is necessary and should include

dry matter The dry matter or dry weight is a measure of the mass of a completely dried substance. Analysis of food The dry matter of plant and animal material consists of all its constituents excluding water. The dry matter of food includes carbohydrate ...

crude protein Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body. They are one of the constituents of body tissue and also serve as a fuel source. As fuel, proteins have the same energy density as carbohydrates: 17 kJ (4 kcal) per gram. The defining cha ...

, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber,

calcium Calcium is a chemical element; it has symbol Ca and atomic number 20. As an alkaline earth metal, calcium is a reactive metal that forms a dark oxide-nitride layer when exposed to air. Its physical and chemical properties are most similar to it ...

and

phosphorus Phosphorus is a chemical element; it has Chemical symbol, symbol P and atomic number 15. All elemental forms of phosphorus are highly Reactivity (chemistry), reactive and are therefore never found in nature. They can nevertheless be prepared ar ...

. *TMR can be used effectively by many dairy farmers, but it is not a substitute for good management. In fact, the intensity of management may be increased. Most of all, management skills and competency of the dairy farmer are critical to make this system work effectively.Using a Total Mixed Ration for Dairy Cows
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References

Intensive farming Cattle Dairy farming {{Agri-stub