How much does TMR really improve performance?

摘要

A recent Hillsborough trial questions the benefits of TMR feeding when concentrate levels are less than 14kg/day. Richard Halleron finds out what the TMR advocates think of this. Comments made by Desmond Patterson following his recent diet feeding research at Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, have generated a mixed response from manufacturers of feeder wagons. Dr Patterson concludes that the provision of a TMR can produce small benefits in dairy cow performance, but only when the amount of concentrate being fed is about 14kg/head/day.