Forage quality, feed bunklife and actual TMR intakes are still critical success factors. Recommended mixing time is 3-6 minutes. Do not overmix resulting in loss of effective fiber. Locate magnets at feedouts. Accurate scales are a must and silage moistures should be monitored weekly.
Several manufacturers have mixers with knives that permit the use of unchopped, long-stemmed hay.
Having two milking groups and a single dry group is workable for most herds. This also can be easily adapted to a tie stall barn by the use of a mechanized feed cart. Cows moved to a new TMR group in later lactation usually drop in milk more than cows moved in early lactation. A workable system proven overseas challenges all cows for 45 days to establish milk potential. High potential cows are maintained in the high group and low cows are shifted to a lower TMR group.