10m 56s: Lenght
572View

TMR- THE GAME CHANGER FOR DAIRY FARMING One of the important reasons for dairy farming not being profitable in is due to high feed costs and the non availability of green fodder. The feeding cost with the present Concentrate +Green fodder + Dry roughage combination on the higher side which by extension means cost/liter milk produced uneconomical. Added to this are the recurrent reproductive problems, digestive disturbances (acidosis), foot/hoof problems and overall poor health condition of the animals which makes dairy farming a not so remunerative venture. All this can be overcome to a significant extent by switching over to TMR (Total Mixed Ration). Advantages of feeding TMR : 1. Improved feed efficiency often occurs with herds using a TMR. 2. Each mouthful of feed that the cow consumes contains the proper amount of ingredients for a balanced ration. 3. This results in a more stable and ideal environment for the rumen microbes and increased nitrogen utilization, including non protein nitrogen (NPN). 4. This in turn can lead to production of higher levels of microbial protein by the rumen microbes. 5. A 4-percent increase in feed utilization can be expected, compared to a conventional ration of forage and grain fed separately, twice daily. 6. The incidence of digestive and metabolic problems often decreases. 7. Milk production has been shown to be as much as 5% higher with a TMR, compared to conventional rations. 8. TMR provides greater accuracy in formulation and feeding if managed properly. Using feed scales allows the quantity of each ingredient fed to be closely controlled. 9. When a TMR is mixed properly, a cow cannot consume significantly more or less of a forage or concentrate. 10. Parlor and selective feeding can be discontinued or limited to token amounts to facilitate cow movement.