IN ROBOTIC MILKING, FEED THEM LIKE STEERS

Many sources, including the Cow Corner blog, advocate feeding dairy cows so that 5% of their feed remains to be removed each day before fresh feed is delivered to the bunk – 5% refusals. Research suggests that feeding for 6% refused feed results in 50 minutes more eating time than feeding for 3% refused feed. More eating time can mean more dry matter intake. More dry matter intake can mean more milk production. The last pound of dry matter intake just might be the most profitable pound of dry matter. If fixed costs are already covered by the first pounds of dry matter, the milk from the last pound only hast to pay for that pound of feed.

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