Talk:Total mixed ration

TMR is a Feed System
TMR stands for "Total Mixed Ration", it isn't a way to feed cows, it's what you feed to them. Usually, it contains: hay; silage; grain; minerals, and macro-nutrients... I think the article should be flushed out a bit, to explain this, your thoughts?

Extract from Holstein (cattle) article: ...greater use of Total Mixed Ration (TMR) feeding systems. Total mixed rations (TMR) continue to expand in use on dairy farms. A 1993 Hoard's Dairy survey reported that 29.2% of surveyed U.S. dairy farms had adopted this system of feeding dairy cows. A 1991 Illinois dairy survey found 26% of Illinois dairy farmers utilized TMR rations with 300 kg more milk per cow compared to other feeding systems. [16] The American type of operation (North and South America) is characterised by large loose-housing operations, total mixed ration feeding (TMR) and relatively many employees.

I think the term is very much used to describe the system, as it is largely to do with the mixer-wagon (US: diet feeder) required for the job. I probably released the article too soon, as it only has "overview" for the moment. I am going to include other sections, notably an example, and a breakdown of typical ingredients. Or maybe someone else will come in to help? Tractorboy60 14:58, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

TMR Machines
To make these rations, there are special machines called mixer-wagons which blend the ingredients, and then auger them into a trough. I guess this article should also be made, and linked to from here?

You are quite right, I was delayed with the mixer-wagon article as I needed to take some photos to illustrate the description, but watch this space.Tractorboy60 15:34, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

If you'd like, I can get a picture of a Luck-Now (or is it Alfa-Laval) mixer wagon... It isn't in great shape though (my neighbour's - we don't TMR-feed our cattle (yet)) ChristianH158 15:58, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

These are the photos I want to use for the mixer-wagon article:, ,. Do you think these are OK? Tractorboy60 16:49, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

Not Only for Dairy Cows
TMR is also commonly used in the Feedlot to finish steers and heifers. To a certain extent, it is also used with Bison.

Good point, it is also used for sheep, and, for all I know, goats. Tractorboy60 15:34, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

Nutrient Analysis
One thing that is missing, is that feed is also analyzed for copper, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and sulphates.

Thanks, I will incorporate this, although if in a TMR you only use home grown forage which has been analysed, and "straights" for complement, usually you can add standard levels of minerals and trace elements as the cost is relatively low. Sulphates are almost never needed, though, as most rations contain more than enough. Calcium and Phosphorus are the most important, and then Vitamin A and D, Cu, Zn, Se, other trace elements and sometimes essential amino acids. Tractorboy60 15:34, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

I always find it interesting talking with farmers in other countries. In our area, Sulphates and Copper are the most important minerals, followed by Phosphorous. Our soils are high in Calcium, and we feed a lot of alfalfa, so we need the higher copper content to balance it out. Very interesting! ChristianH158 15:57, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

That would account for the differences; we can't grow alfalfa (lucerne to us) as the soils are too acid, so our forage is maize (corn) silage. I'm wondering if you could get a photo of a handful of alfalfa, that might be useful for the article? I've got a photo of some maize here, but in most North American systems, alfalfa is used. Tractorboy60 17:02, 9 October 2007 (UTC)

Actually, in most of the North American dairy operations I've seen, the major forage is corn silage for energy, followed by alfalfa hay or haylage for protein. Quite a lot of alfalfa hay is grown in the western and central portion of the United States of America, notably in states such as Kansas. Here, a mineral of concern is potassium. Many dairymen want forages with low potassium levels so they can have more control over the balance of anionic and cationic minerals in the diet. This is especially important for cows in the transition period surrounding calving.128.163.195.153 (talk) 14:43, 4 June 2009 (UTC)

Wow, didn't know that you couldn't grow lucerne/alfalfa there. I'll take a picture of a handful of the alfalfa silage sometime today and post it here. ChristianH158 17:57, 9 October 2007 (UTC)