Planning for Empty Bin Syndrome: What happens when the bin is empty and you have hungry cows?

Every farm runs out of a feed ingredient at some point during the year. The issue could be due to unexpected shrink or a delayed delivery. Sometimes we just forget to order it on time.

A scenario of an extreme case occurred when a feeder went to add whey to a ration and the tank was empty. Without a plan in place and the need to get the cows fed on Sunday morning, the feeder substituted shell corn for whey. The results of that decision threw the cows’ diet into turmoil. The diet that was balanced for 27% starch and 7.5% sugar changed immediately to 37.6% starch and 2.3% sugar. The amount of dry matter TMR fed per cow went from 57 to 70 pounds. Not only did the error result in digestive and production issues for the milking herd, but the extreme increase in clean-up or weigh-backs the following day caused a domino effect as these refusals were then fed to the heifers. Can you imagine what may have happened if this scenario had carried on for more than one feeding?

This example is extreme and worth noting because of the difference in moisture between whey and dry corn. It is a great example of the importance of having a substitution plan in place for your TMR feeding program. It also increases the awareness that a substitution plan for your TMR has to take the moisture of the feeds into account. The replacement feeds don’t have to be the same moisture but must be added at the same level of dry matter pounds.

Feed Supervisor has created a simple substitution program for your TMR feeding system. Your nutritionist can simply identify what feed type would be suitable to use as a replacement in advance. These substitutions are then entered into your ration table creating a plan for the future. In the event that a feed bin does run empty, the feeder simply pushes the substitution button on FS touch and Feed Supervisor takes care of the calculations. The feeder continues on with his or her day and the cows are fed on time with the best case nutritional scenario and the correct pounds of dry matter being fed.