In contemporary dairy production, customizing feeding groups based on cows’ physiological state is standard practice as we aim to meet specific nutrient requirements and enhance health, productivity, and overall well-being. Utilizing multiple total mixed ration (TMR) feeding groups offers eco nomic advantages and potential nutrient cost reductions.
To address variability within groups, “lead feeding” is commonly used, providing extra nutrients to high-performing cows. This involves adjusting the feeding regimen using the average milk production plus one standard deviation or the 83rd percentile method.
Separate lead factors for net energy of lactation (NEL) and crude protein (CP) have been proposed, with suggested values of 133% for NEL and 126% for CP when feeding one group. For two groups, the lead factors differ: 119% for NEL and 113% for CP for the low-production group; and 130% for NEL and 125% for CP for the high-production group. Lead feeding strategies allow dairy farmers to tailor feed regimens to each group’s specific needs, ensuring optimal nutrition and maximizing production potential.
Research conducted in the mid 1970s observed a net gain of $30 per cow per year in income over feed costs (IOFC) when using a two TMR strategy compared to a single TMR approach. Other studies reported an IOFC advantage of $60 per cow per year for two TMR feedings, despite lower annual milk production. Subsequent studies in the 1990s and 2000s also reported gains ranging from $10 to $44 per cow per year in IOFC when transitioning from one to multiple TMR groups.
These studies highlighted the significance of grouping criteria, diet nutrient specifications, milk production effects, and the number and size of the groups. They also emphasized the importance of considering factors such as body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) changes in grouping strategies. Optimal grouping based on similar nutrient requirements allows for diet formulations that reflect the actual needs of each group and their variability.
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