Nutritionists and producers often assume that ingredients in a total mixed ration are
uniformly mixed. However, many factors can affect ration homogeneity, including
particle size, particle shape, differences in density of feed ingredients, and relative point
at which the mixture is discharged from a mixer batch. Forages often are ground prior
to mixing in a total mixed ration to reduce variation in forage particle length. Preprocessing
forages during baling may facilitate particle length reduction, eliminating the
need to grind forages prior to mixing. The objectives of this study were to determine
the effects of forage processing on (1) uniformity of the ration discharged from the
mixer at different points, (2) particle length throughout the mixing process by bale
type, and (3) difference in feed refusals of mixed rations based on forages processed by
different methods.
