Economics of production efficiency: Nutritional grouping of the lactating cow

Abstract

Nutritional grouping of lactating cows under total mixed ration (TMR) feeding systems has been discussed in the literature since 1970. Most studies have concluded that using multiple, more-homogeneous TMR feeding groups is economically beneficial because of either nutrient cost savings, improved productivity, or both. Nonetheless, no consensus has been formed around this technique nor has it been widely adopted. By using optimal criteria for grouping and more precise nutrient specifications of diets, the latest studies have reported a consistently greater income over feed cost ($/cow per year) with multiple TMR groups compared with 1 TMR (3 TMR=$46 and 2 TMR=$21 to $39). Critical factors that determine the economic value of nutritional grouping are: (1) criteria for grouping, (2) nutrient specifications of diets, (3) effects on milk production, (4) health and environmental benefits, (5) number, size, and frequency of grouping, and (6) additional costs and benefits. It has been documented that grouping cows according to their simultaneous nutritional requirements (a.k.a., cluster grouping) is optimal. Cluster grouping is superior to other methods, such as grouping according to days in milk, milk production, or production and body weight combined. However, the dairy industry still uses less-than-optimal grouping criteria. Using cluster grouping will enhance the positive economic effects of multiple TMR. In addition, nutrient specifications of diets for groups do not seem optimal either. Milk lead factors, which are only based on group average milk production, are used. Diets could, however, be formulated more precisely based on overall group nutrient requirements. Providing more precise diets should also be in favor of grouping economics. Furthermore, an area that requires more attention is the potential negative effect of grouping on the milk production of moved cows because of either or both social interactions or diet concentration changes. Although the literature is inconclusive on this subject matter, the latest studies indicate that multiple TMR groups economically outperform 1 TMR, even after considering plausible potential milk losses when grouping. Moreover, additional positive effects of nutritional grouping of improved herd health and environmental stewardship should be translated into economic benefits. Finally, additional costs of management, labor, facilities, and equipment required for grouping are farm specific. The few studies that have integrated these factors in their analyses found that multiple TMR groups would still be economically superior to 1 TMR.

The time spent in fresh cow pen influences total lactational performance

“…Dairy cow grouping is a common and practical method of increasing feed efficiency and provides opportunities for more efficient management in many commercial dairy operations. Dairy farmers may adopt different strategies for cow grouping such as the time to expected calving date, sick cows, fresh cows, pregnant cows and early or late lactating cows (Cabrera and Kalantari, 2016). Although the fresh cow group is generally the first 21 days, others have defined the fresh period, and by extension time spent in the fresh group from 3 to >30 DIM (Espadamala et al ., 2016) and up to 45 DIM (Rossow and Aly, 2013).…”

Robotic milking: Technology, farm design, and effects on work flow

“…Potential benefits of grouping by stage of lactation include reduced grain feeding in the partial mixed ration to lower producers, resulting in more interest in the robot pellet and better attendance by late-lactation cows. Although grouping by stage of lactation is proven to be economically advantageous in parlor-milked herds (Cabrera and Kalantari, 2016), it is not commonly done in robotic milking herds. Research results with parlor milking reviewed by Cabrera and Kalantari (2016) suggest that the social effects of introducing new milking cows to an established social group are generally small and short lived.…”

“…Although grouping by stage of lactation is proven to be economically advantageous in parlor-milked herds (Cabrera and Kalantari, 2016), it is not commonly done in robotic milking herds. Research results with parlor milking reviewed by Cabrera and Kalantari (2016) suggest that the social effects of introducing new milking cows to an established social group are generally small and short lived. Milk production effects in cows moved into a new group ranged from no effect to a decrease of 4.7%.…”

Organic Feed: A Bottleneck for the Development of the Livestock Sector and Its Transition to Sustainability?

“…Nonetheless, no consensus was formed around this technique, nor has it been widely adopted. Cabrera and Kalantari [70] reported a consistently greater income over feed cost ($/cow per year) with multiple TMR groups compared with 1 TMR (3 TMR = $46 and 2 TMR = $21-$39). According to these authors, the critical factors that determine the economic value of nutritional grouping are: (1) the criteria for grouping; (2) the nutrient specifications of the diets; (3) the effects on milk production; (4) the health and environmental benefits; (5) the number, size, and frequency of the grouping; and (6) the additional costs and benefits.…”

“…Cabrera and Kalantari [70] created different groups of lactating cows on the basis of their nutritional management. The authors concluded that using multiple, more-homogeneous TMR feeding groups is economically beneficial because there is a nutrient cost saving, an improvement in productivity, or both.…”