Some grain feeding in the parlor can, in effect, make grouping possible, but this practice is losing popularity. Shifting small groups of cows, rather than one cow at a time, is best. Monthly intervals are frequent enough, preferably using the DHI or similar test report as reference for shifting. Use judgement, on an individual cow basis, based on your knowledge of time in lactation, physical condition, level of production, pregnancy, temperament, age, etc., before shifting. Cows eat numerous small meals throughout the day, resulting in greater feed intake and better utilization of ingredients, such as urea.
Fewer cows have digestive upsets and go off feed.
The costs of parlor construction and maintenance of feeding equipment are reduced. There is less feed dust in the parlor. Movement through the parlor is quicker because cows do not delay to finish eating. More cows per man hour are possible when parlor operators do not spend time dispensing grain. Labor for feeding the cows is less.