Evaluation of dairy cattle farms using a total mixed ration in terms of feeding

The aim of this study was to determine the current situation in a special dairy cattle farm using total mixed ration (TMR) in animal nutrition and to evaluate the factors affecting the success of the application. The research was carried out in a private dairy cattle farm in TMR in the Kavaklı town of Kırklareli. The data collection process was completed between November 2018 and January 2019 in a total of three months. Preparation and delivering procedure of TMR were observed and parameters such as mixing time, loading sequence, unloading rate were also measured in each visit. Samples of TMR were collected from the three different part of feed bunk of study paddock before each feeding for chemical and physical analyses. As a result of the research, the change in the particle size and chemical composition of the increasing TMR in the farm has shown that there is feed choice in the farm. There is an increase in feed selection and remaining feed rate as a result of the inefficient use of the feed distribution trailer in the farm, both the particle size of the coarse feed and the incomplete mixing process. Overall, differences between the fed and formulated diets were observed on farm.The greatest variability between fed and formulated was observed for moisture, CP, Cel, NDF, and ash (P <0.05). In conclusion, feeding management practice of dairy farm visited in this study require to reconsideration in many aspects to improve the contribution of TMR system.