Managing cows on self-feeders need a different skill set than that related to daily TMR feeding. A self-feeder provides benefits in lower feeding costs associated with equipment, facilities, and yardage, and in addition, it gives the capacity to securely nourish smaller classes. It is very important to choose the mineral supplements for animals for the better health of the cattle.
Experience is important to decide what works best for the individual functioning and if self-feeding is a fantastic fit. Knowing the factors affecting cows' intake and diet options, together with choosing the proper nutritional supplements, will encourage success when both developing and ending using a self-feeder.
Maintaining an open mind concerning self-fed cows' management choices and supplementation plans could provide a new level of benefit and might also yield the most valuable of life's products:
Feed palatability
Cattle will naturally pick the most palatable and digestible plants accessible when grazing mixed grass pastures. Exactly the same applies when self-feeding. When offered a choice, cows are attracted to feed which tastes the top; hence, self-feed intakes have been affected by the character of the available forage resource.
Pellet hardness and quality. For manufacturers choosing pelleted supplements to be fed either exclusively or together with different grains, pellet quality may influence approval. Lower-quality soft pellets give rise to breakage, causing cows to form out fines.
Taste and odor. Palate tastes can change intakes down or up when employing a self-feeder, as feed may taste sweet, sour, salty, or sour to cows. Molasses can boost intakes by sweetening the taste and odor and may also help state the mixture, reduce dust, and lessen the prevalence of sorting.