One simple way to improve feed efficiency in heifers is to employ good bunk management. Feeding heifers to exact levels of intake and using the heifers’ inherent nature to sort feed as a guide to manage bunks has been demonstrated to improve feed efficiency. Praying proper attention to eating behavior and managing the feed bunk accordingly can increase feed efficiency and decrease feed cost.
In the Dairy eXtension article Heifer Management Blueprints: Heifers and Feed Bunk Management, retired UW-Extension Dairy Management Specialist Pat Hoffman shares how good bunk design, feed sorting and feed adjustments are often overlooked in heifer management programs and how we can overcome these bottlenecks to increase feed efficiency 10 to 15 percent.
Source:uwex.edu