Conversations: Your TMR consistency continued from page 41 rumen environments which support optimal milk production and cow performance. Introducing inconsistencies in the TMR can only hold cows back. On a day-to-day basis at commercial dairies, there are many vari- ables (including the TMR) and normal bulk tank levels fall within a certain range. Good managers using good protocols typically enjoy a pretty narrow range in bulk tank levels. By using good management, they move the total range ahead a little at a time. 3) What causes notable bulk tank changes? We find that weather or negative changes in ingredient quality can cause the most noticeable changes in bulk tank levels. Cows are resilient, however, and seem to be able to get through most of these without a lasting effect. If the TMR’s moisture level var- The beauty ies, the cows will eat to a certain dry of properly matter level; they will adjust their their dry prepared TMRs intake until However, matter threshold is reached. if parts of the is that each bite ration have more (or less) whey or wa- ter, they may be getting more (or less) contains exactly sugar or soluble protein. This then di- lutes other nutrients. Plain water could the same pro- also have the same effect, and cows portion of eating the higher moisture parts of the TMR may not have enough TMR forages and available to eat to their dry matter re- quirement. concentrates. 4) What are the major causes TMR variations? • Inadequate mix time – a few more minutes may make all the difference in getting all ingredients evenly distributed in the load. • Unevenly adding liquid ingredients – many dairies use a boom with a manifold to add liquids. Have the mixer wagon centered under the boom before adding liquids. • Overfilling the mixer – too much feed in the mixer adversely affects mixing efficiency. Avoid exceeding the manufacturer’s recom- mended load size. If ingredients spill over the mixer’s top, it’s prob- ably too full. • Improperly maintained mixer – regularly perform preventative maintenance including knife replacement and adjusting or replacing the kicker bar. 5) How can I easily flag variations in TMRs? Have your nutritionist and other advisors keep an eye on your TMR. If the TMR in the bunk doesn’t look well mixed, then it prob- ably isn’t. Regularly climb up and look in the mixer; have the feeder do likewise. If, after a load is discharged, you identify individual ingredients stuck to the walls or floor of the mixer, begin looking for the cause of the problem. p (DairyBusiness Communications’ ‘Conversations’ columns are archived at www.dairybusiness.com, then click on the ‘Conversations’ column links.) www.dairybusiness.com May 2012 EASTERNDAIRYBUSINESS 43