Comparative responses of lactating cows to total mixed rations or computerized individual concentrates feeding.

Abstract A trial was conducted in a commercial dairy herd in which the concentrate part of the ration was fed individually to a group of cows through computerized self-feeders. Performance results were compared with those of a group fed TMR of 65 to 67% concentrates. Rationing of individual concentrates was according to parity, milk yield, milk yield potential, BW changes, and bunk feedstuffs. Mean intake of concentrates per cow was about 1 kg/d lower in the individually supplemented cows. This was partly compensated for by a higher intake of bunk feedstuffs. Overall daily milk yield per cow was similar to those receiving a TMR in first parity cows, higher in second parity cows, and lower in third and greater parity cows. The higher performance of the second parity cows was achieved in all milk yield potential classes, and the lower yield in subsequent lactations was due to lower performance in low and high potential classes. The individually supplemented cows gained less BW than those in the TMR group. Milk yield per unit of BW was better than milk yield as a variable to refine individual cow supplementation strategy for allocation of concentrates. Results also suggest that the same criteria used for supplementation of concentrates can be beneficial to cows' assignments and movements among different TMR groups. Computerized dispensing of concentrates, when applied properly, can economize on consumption of concentrates when grouping and feeding different TMR are impossible.