Feed management practices used for dairy cows in confined dairies in Brazil

Despite the critical role that feeding and feed bunk management practices play in dairy herd performance, limited information is available on how these practices are implemented across different production levels in Brazilian confined dairy systems. We aimed to gather information on the producers 'reported feeding practices used on confined dairy operations and identify their relationship with average herd milk production. An electronic survey of 38 questions was emailed to 500 Brazilian dairy producers. Out of the 135 responses received, answers from 82 producers were included, and herds were ranked according to their 305-d milk production (kg) as low (LP; < 7,000; n = 27), medium (MP; 7,000-10,000; n = 35), and high production (HP; > 10,000; n = 20). The HP and MP herds had greater odds of evaluating particle size distribution, forage DM, TMR physically effective fiber NDF (peNDF), corn kernel processing, and having a water trough wash protocol and cooling system than LP herds. The HP herds had greater odds of grouping primiparous separated than LP herds. The feed refusals and frequencies of feed efficiency, feed bunk clean-up, and TMR peNDF were similar among herds. The HP producers reported a greater feeding frequency, feed push-up, and cleaning water troughs than MP and LP, respectively. Producers reported evaluating forage DM monthly and when a new silo was opened, regardless of milk production level. In conclusion, this survey demonstrates that producers of HP and MP herds showed a greater frequency of use of feeding management practices than those of LP herds. Furthermore, survey results can be used to develop and disseminate target information on feeding practices and feed bunk management in dairy operations.