Medium protein feedstuffs presently popular in Florida are whole cottonseed, distillers grains and wet brewers. Some dairymen purchase all ingredients to formulate their rations while others purchase commercial feed mixtures or premixes. A number of the larger dairies in Florida use wet brewers grains. Also, more and more dairymen purchase alfalfa hay to use in their high herd rations. Rate of feeding varies from 5 to 10 pounds per cow.
Some dairymen use alfalfa cubes.
The feed handling equipment that appears to offer the most control in feeding cows in large herds is the mixer wagon with scales. Dairymen like the system since measured amounts of feed can be delivered to dairy cows so that the manager can keep a running account on the amount of feed being consumed. Mixer wagons have become more popular in recent years with outside feeding. Computer feeders are less popular but are used at a few dairies. Successful hot-weather herd management recommendation areas should include methods to precisely control ration energy and fiber level, protein quantity and quality, mineral levels and ratios.