Feed tables get a lot of attention when we discuss pellet feeding in robots. Feed tables are important, but it is just as important, if not more important, to know how much a cow actually eats. There are a few factors that affect what a cow eats in the robot, regardless of the brand.
WHAT IS REALLY MEASURED?
Remember that the system does not weigh the feed. It counts turns of the auger. Accuracy depends on calibration. If the bin is empty or the system is plugged, and the auger is still turning, the system will say feed is dispensed, but it is not and the cows will notice. The system does not know if the cow actually ate the feed that was delivered to the bowl. DeLaval robots only dispense feed when the cow’s head is in the bowl. Lely robots dispense feed while the cow is in the stall, whether she has her head in the bowl or not.
MILKING VISITS
Maybe it is too obvious, but sometimes we forget. The first thing that controls how much pellet a cow eats is whether she comes to the robot. This is especially important when training new heifers. If the system allows 4 pounds per visit, and she only visits twice a day, she isn’t getting more than 8 pounds – period. If the balanced ration expects her to have 12 pounds, we need to find a way to get at least one more trip to the robot.
AMOUNT FED PER VISIT
We need to be realistic about how much a cow can eat during the time it takes to milk her. Most sources agree that cows will eat about 1 pound of pelleted feed per minute. She probably won’t eat 8 pounds of pellet is she milks out in 6 minutes. In addition, the meal should be small enough to encourage frequent visits. If the amount per visit is too high, cows will learn that they get larger meals with less frequent visits. As a rule of thumb, the average cow should not be able to get all of her feed in 2 visits.
DISPENSE RATE
Most systems are set to dispense between ½ and 1 pound per minute. The rate must be high enough for the cow to get the desired pellet in the time she is in the robot. The rate must be low enough so cows don’t run out of feed and become impatient towards the end of milking. It may be possible to make the dispense rate faster for individual cows that milk out quickly, or slower for slow milking cows. Be careful not to micro-manage too many cows.
THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER
Every farm feeds pellets differently. Each of these settings must complement the other for accurate feeding and optimum cow flow. The Cow Corner “Weekly Feeding and Performance Report” monitors each of these, and overall feed system performance. It also tracks actual consumption by parity and stage of lactation. Contact me to find out what the report would look like for your farm.
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