FEED GUIDE · DAIRY PAKISTAN

TMR Feed Formulation Guide for Pakistani Dairy Farms

Total Mixed Ration done right — ingredient database, worked ration examples, IOFC calculation, SARA prevention, buffalo-specific TMR, and seasonal adjustments for Pakistan.

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"Total Mixed Ration (TMR) is the gold standard for dairy feeding — mixing all forages, concentrates, and minerals in one batch prevents selective eating, improves rumen stability, and typically increases milk yield 8–15% vs conventional feeding. In Pakistan, TMR is essential for HF and F1 crossbred herds above 20 cows."
— HerdManager.co Editorial Team

TMR vs Conventional Feeding

Why do the world's most productive dairy farms all use TMR? The data is clear.

8–15%Yield increase

10–20%Feed waste reduction

+0.2Milk fat% improvement

Rs 15–30Extra IOFC/cow/day

LowerSARA & acidosis risk

Factor	Conventional Feeding	TMR
Selective eating	Cows sort for high-energy grains, leave roughage	No sorting possible — mixed batch
Rumen pH stability	Peaks and valleys depending on feed timing	Stable throughout day — lower SARA risk
Feed waste	5–25% (roughage left behind)	2–8% with good bunk management
Labour	Multiple separate feeding events	One batch mixed once or twice daily
Nutritional accuracy	Each cow eats differently	Every mouthful has same nutrient profile
Milk fat %	Variable — low when sorting occurs	More consistent 3.8–4.2%

TMR Ingredients Available in Pakistan

Know your ingredients before you formulate. Nutritional values for Pakistan-available feed materials.

Ingredient	DM%	CP%	NDF%	NEL Mcal/kg	Notes
Wheat Straw (Bhoosa)	90%	3–4%	78–82%	1.18	Bulk/fibre only — no nutritional value beyond NDF
Berseem (fresh)	15–20%	18–22%	30–35%	1.58	Best winter fodder — high CP, excellent palatability
Maize Silage	28–35%	8–10%	42–48%	1.55	Best energy silage — make in April/May from Kharif crop
Sorghum Silage	25–30%	7–9%	50–55%	1.45	Good summer alternative to maize silage
Cottonseed Cake (Binola Khal)	90%	38–42%	28–30%	1.72	Best local protein source — use 1.5–2.5 kg/cow/day
Wheat Bran (Chokar)	89%	14–16%	38–42%	1.45	Cheap energy + fibre — good up to 2 kg/cow/day
Mustard Cake (Sarson Khal)	90%	34–38%	24–26%	1.65	High glucosinolates — limit to 0.5 kg/cow/day
Maize Grain (Corn)	88%	8–9%	10–12%	1.92	Best energy concentrate — expensive but efficient
Soybean Meal	88%	44–48%	14–16%	1.83	Expensive but highest quality protein — use selectively
Molasses	72%	4–6%	0%	1.58	Energy + palatability improver — max 0.5 kg DM/cow/day
Bypass Fat (Calcium Soap)	99%	0%	0%	2.85	Energy for early lactation — 200–300g/cow/day
Mineral Mixture	98%	0%	0%	0	150g/cow/day — Ca, P, Mg, trace minerals
Sodium Bicarbonate	99%	0%	0%	0	Rumen buffer — 100–150g/cow/day in high-concentrate rations

Nutrient Requirements by Lactation Stage

One ration does not fit all stages. Adjust for each group.

Stage	DMI kg/day	CP%	NDF% min	NEL Mcal/kg	Key Focus
Dry (Far-off, 60–21 days)	10–12	12–13%	40–45%	1.35	Low energy, high fibre — prevent fat cow syndrome
Close-up / Transition (21–0 days)	11–13	15–16%	33–36%	1.54	Prepare rumen for high-concentrate lactation diet
Fresh Cow (0–21 DIM)	16–18	17–18%	28–30%	1.65	Maximum palatability — fight negative energy balance
Early Lactation (21–100 DIM)	18–22	17–18%	28–30%	1.68	Highest energy density — push yield
Mid Lactation (100–200 DIM)	18–20	16–17%	30–32%	1.60	Reduce concentrate gradually, rebuild BCS
Late Lactation (200–305 DIM)	16–18	14–15%	32–35%	1.52	Cut concentrate, maintain BCS 3.0–3.5 for dry-off

Worked Ration Example — 25 L/day HF Cow

600 kg body weight, 90 DIM (early lactation), winter season (berseem available).

Ration Ingredients (As-Fed)

Ingredient	kg/day (as-fed)	Cost (Rs)
Berseem (fresh)	20 kg	60
Wheat Straw (bhoosa)	3 kg	18
Cottonseed Cake	2.5 kg	188
Wheat Bran	2 kg	80
Maize Grain	1 kg	65
Molasses	0.3 kg	12
Bypass Fat	0.25 kg	75
Mineral Mixture	0.15 kg	15
Sodium Bicarbonate	0.12 kg	8
TOTAL	~29 kg	Rs 521/day

Ration Analysis & IOFC

DM Intake 18.4 kg/day

Crude Protein 17.8% DM

NDF 29.2% DM

NEL (estimated) 1.67 Mcal/kg DM

Forage:Concentrate 52:48

Feed cost/day Rs 521

Milk revenue (25L × Rs 115) Rs 2,875

IOFC Rs 2,354 (Rs 94/L)

SARA Prevention

Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis is the silent profit killer on high-concentrate Pakistani dairy farms.

What Is SARA?

Rumen pH drops below 5.8 for 3+ hours/day due to excess fermentable carbohydrates. Damages rumen lining, reduces milk fat%, causes laminitis, reduces feed intake. Losses: Rs 15,000–30,000/cow/year.

SARA Signs

Loose dung (not scoured — loose), milk fat% drops (below 3.2% in HF), inconsistent feed intake, mild laminitis (shifting weight), reduced body condition score despite adequate feed.

Minimum NDF Rule

Never formulate below 28% NDF on DM basis for lactating cows. Minimum 21% of DM as forage NDF (particles >4mm). This is the most important SARA prevention rule.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Add 100–150g/cow/day in high-concentrate rations (above 55% concentrate). Bicarb buffers rumen pH. Non-negotiable for peak lactation HF and F1 cows on TMR.

Transition Feeding

The most critical SARA window is 0–21 DIM. Transition from dry cow diet (high NDF) to lactation diet (high energy) over 3 weeks minimum. Never switch abruptly.

Particle Length

Use a TMR particle sizer (Penn State Separator). Target: >20% on top sieve (>19mm), 30–50% on middle (8mm), <40% on bottom pan. Too fine = SARA. Too coarse = sorting.

Buffalo TMR

Nili-Ravi and Murrah buffaloes have different nutritional requirements from dairy cows.

Parameter	Dairy Cow TMR	Buffalo TMR
DMI target	3.0–3.5% BW	3.0–3.5% BW (similar)
NDF minimum	28% DM	30–35% DM (higher)
Forage:Concentrate ratio	50:50 to 60:40	60:40 to 70:30 (more roughage)
Concentrate max	55% DM	45% DM — buffaloes more SARA-sensitive
Bypass fat	200–300g/day early lact	200–300g/day (supports fat% for ghee)
Molasses	0.3–0.5 kg/day	0.5–0.8 kg/day — improves palatability
Sodium bicarb	100–150g/day	150–200g/day (stronger buffer needed)

HerdManager.co Feed Formulation Module

Build rations, track IOFC, and manage feed costs — all in one place.

TMR Builder

Build and save ration recipes with Pakistan ingredient database. Auto-calculates CP, NDF, NEL, Ca, P, and forage:concentrate ratio.

DMI Calculator

Enter body weight, milk yield, and lactation stage. Auto-calculates dry matter intake requirement and target nutrient levels.

IOFC Tracker

Auto-calculates Income Over Feed Cost daily per cow using actual milk yield and recorded feed costs. Weekly and monthly summaries.

Ingredient Database

Full nutritional database for Pakistan feed ingredients with typical analysis values. Add your own custom ingredients with lab-tested values.

Mobile Feed Log

Log daily feed delivery from your phone. Takes 30 seconds. No paper records. Works offline.

AI Ration Advisor

Ask HerdManager AI in English or Urdu: 'What should I feed my 25L cow in summer?' — get an instant ration recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common TMR and feeding questions from Pakistani dairy farmers.

What is TMR and does my small farm need it?

TMR mixes all feed in one batch. For farms under 10 cows, conventional feeding is acceptable. Above 20 cows, TMR returns Rs 15–30/cow/day extra IOFC — it pays for itself within months.

What is IOFC and how do I calculate it?

Income Over Feed Cost = (daily yield × milk price) - daily feed cost. Example: 25L × Rs 115 = Rs 2,875 minus Rs 521 feed = IOFC Rs 2,354/day. Per litre: Rs 94/L. Target above Rs 80/L.

What is the best fodder in summer when berseem is unavailable?

Maize silage (made April/May) is the best summer roughage. Sorghum silage is a good second choice. Mott (Napier) grass provides fresh green in July–September. Without silage, summer is a profit-killer — start making silage immediately.

What is SARA and how do I know my cows have it?

Sub-Acute Ruminal Acidosis: loose dung (not scoured), milk fat% below 3.2%, inconsistent feed intake, mild laminitis. Caused by excess concentrate and insufficient fibre. Prevent with NDF ≥28% DM and 100–150g bicarb/cow/day.

How is buffalo TMR different from cow TMR?

Buffaloes need higher NDF (30–35% DM), lower concentrate ratio (max 45% DM), and are more SARA-sensitive. Bypass fat supports high-fat milk. Molasses improves palatability of roughage-heavy rations.

What is bypass fat and when should I use it?

Calcium soap of fatty acids (e.g., Megalac) — provides energy without acidifying the rumen. Use 200–300g/cow/day for early lactation (0–70 DIM) to prevent negative energy balance. Available from livestock feed suppliers in Pakistan.

How can I reduce feed cost without reducing milk?

Replace soybean meal with cottonseed cake. Use molasses for cheap energy. Make your own maize silage (saves Rs 15–20/kg DM vs purchased silage). Track IOFC weekly — small improvements compound fast across 50 cows.

What order should I load TMR ingredients?

Load in this order: long dry roughage (straw) first, then wet roughage (silage/berseem), then concentrates, then liquids (molasses, water) last. This sequence ensures proper mixing and prevents lumping.

How often should I push TMR up to the bunk?

Every 2–3 hours. Feed remaining at the bunk edge becomes stale and is refused. Pushing up is free labour that recovers Rs 20–40/cow/day in feed that would otherwise be wasted.

Does HerdManager.co have a feed formulation module?

Yes — TMR builder, ingredient database, DMI calculator, IOFC auto-tracker, and mobile feed logging. The AI assistant can also recommend rations in English or Urdu based on your herd's milk yield and available ingredients.

How much does a TMR mixer wagon cost in Pakistan?

Small horizontal mixers (3–5 m³, suitable for 30–60 cows): Rs 600,000–1,200,000. Tractor-mounted options are available. For farms under 30 cows, a concrete floor mixing pad with a front-loader bucket is a low-cost alternative (Rs 50,000–100,000).

What is the minimum forage:concentrate ratio for dairy cows?

50:50 minimum for lactating cows. Higher concentrate (above 55%) requires sodium bicarbonate buffering and careful transition. Never go above 60% concentrate for HF or 45% for buffaloes without close monitoring.

What is cottonseed cake (binola khal) and is it safe?

Cottonseed cake is a high-protein by-product of cotton oil extraction. CP 38–42%. Very cost-effective in Pakistan. Limit to 2.5 kg/cow/day maximum due to gossypol content — exceeding this can cause reproductive issues. Safe within that limit.

Can I use urea as a protein supplement?

Non-protein nitrogen (urea) can replace up to 1/3 of protein in the ration but requires careful management — slow introduction, maximum 150g/day, always mixed well (never fed separately), with adequate carbohydrates. High risk of toxicity if misused — consult your vet.

What does wheat straw (bhoosa) contribute nutritionally?

Almost nothing nutritionally (CP 3–4%, NDF 78–82%, NEL 1.18 Mcal/kg) — but it's essential structural fibre that prevents SARA. Include 2–3 kg DM/cow/day in all lactation rations as the minimum fibre base.

How do I test my feed ingredients?

Send samples to UVAS Feed Technology Lab (Lahore) or any provincial livestock department laboratory. Test for CP, NDF, ADF, moisture. Cost Rs 1,000–3,000 per sample. Essential for silage and local by-products where quality varies.

What causes low milk fat% on my farm?

Most common cause: SARA from high concentrate/low fibre TMR. Also: insufficient bypass fat in early lactation, heat stress (summer), very low forage NDF. Check ration NDF first — should be ≥28% DM. Add bicarb if not already using.

How much water do cows need alongside TMR?

Lactating cows: 80–120L/day. In summer: up to 150L/day. Water intake directly determines DMI — restricted water = reduced feed intake = reduced milk. Provide fresh, clean water within 10m of the TMR bunk at all times.

Should I feed the same TMR to all cows?

Ideally no — separate groups for: high-yield (>25L), mid-yield (15–25L), low-yield/dry. Minimum two groups: lactating and dry. Separate fresh-cow group (0–21 DIM) gives the highest ROI of any grouping strategy.

How do I track IOFC on my farm?

Record daily milk yield per cow and total feed delivered. HerdManager.co Feed Module auto-calculates IOFC per cow per day. Review weekly — if IOFC drops below Rs 80/L, investigate whether milk price dropped, feed cost rose, or yield declined.

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