Minimize waste in feeding by chopping and including forage in total mixed rations instead of feeding in round bale rings where feasible. Feed your highest producers the best quality forage available. Incorporate lower quality forages into lower producer rations. Harvest set aside acreages when available and include them in your rations as fiber fill sources. Coping with high grain costs Consider using alternative feeds such as bakery waste, beet pulp, wet brewers grain, maltage, corn gluten feed, hominy feed, whole cottonseed, cottonseed hulls, wheat midds, rice bran and rice hulls.
Group cows according to nutrient needs and feed accordingly.
Determine whether switching to a total mixed ration would allow you to stretch your feed budget by incorporating lower quality feeds or less palatable feeds. Consider contracting feeds during harvest or when reduced prices are available. Calibrate your weighing devices to ensure accurate ration formulation. Evaluate which cows in the lactating herd are profitable and cull the bottom end. Determine how many heifers you are going to need as replacements and sell the surplus.