page_title: Total mixed ration
section_title: Summary
hierarchical_section_title: Total mixed ration / Summary
caption_attribution_description: English: Holstein dairy cows eating TMR (Total Mixed Ration), France
context_page_description: Total mixed ration is a method of feeding dairy cattle. The purpose of feeding a TMR diet is that each cow can consume the required level of nutrients in each bite. A cow's ration should include good quality forages, a balance of grains and proteins, vitamins and minerals. By using a TMR diet, the operations can be divided into groups such as having at least three milk production groups, and one dry cow group. By being able to manage the TMR daily it provides healthy cows, increases in milk production and reproduction. The key to formulating TMR is maximized dry matter intake, which should be consistent with production and breed.
context_section_description: Complete rations feature the blended approach; all forages, concentrates, protein supplements, minerals and vitamins are mixed and offered as a single feed.
  Complete-ration systems can save labour and reduce overall feeding costs.
  It is extremely important to keep the mixture exactly the same day after day and to make big changes gradually.
  Early detection of problems with the ration system is possible by observing the bulk tank milk level after each milking.
  Forage analysis is necessary and should include dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, calcium and phosphorus.
  TMR can be used effectively by many dairy farmers, but it is not a substitute for good management. In fact, the intensity of management may be increased. Most of all, management skills and competency of the dairy farmer are critical to make this system work effectively.
caption: Dairy cows eating a TMR
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