Nutrient requirements versus supply in the dairy cow: strategies to account for variability

Dairy producers must overcome substantial challenges to achieve milk outputs > 14,000 kg of milk/yr per cow within the next decade. To obtain high productivity, a more complete comprehension of the dynamics of metabolism, nutrient utilization, and nutrient absorption will enable better prediction of the efficiency of utilization of these nutrients. A better understanding of the dynamics of rumen function and a more accurate prediction of nutrient flow from the rumen are necessary. Grouping strategy and group feeding behavior influence cow productivity and farm profitability. Understanding of the variance of individual cow responses to management practice is critical. Feeding system design and management and diet formulation techniques need to be developed that recognize the dynamic nature of cow physiology and the variability in feedstuffs and cow requirements. These concepts need to be integrated into total farm management and require the use of new computer modeling technologies.