There are differences in performance of cattle not accountable by man. Even when things are alike, there are certain livestock producers who can get more out of an animal. It can be a horse, cow, pig or chicken, but it appears some producers have a gift to get along with animals better than others.

With dairy and feedlot cattle, there has been research to identify these unknowns. Farmers can use the knowledge of animal behavior to improve performance. It is disappointing for a dairy producer to see adverse effects of production after spending $100,000 on "state-of-the-art" facilities. Example: new free stalls but the cows lie in the alleys, on the concrete outside or, if possible, walk by them to lie over the hill.

An animal is not only what it eats but also what it can eat. Feed and water must be where they are accessible and where timid animals not only feel comfortable but also find them. Many times the accessibility of feed is more important than the quality and quantity delivered.

Here are results of research observations as related to feeding.

1. Cows eat more in a group than by themselves. When one cow eats, another is stimulated to eat. One hungry pig/cow may be a very important animal as it improves the performance of the entire herd.
2. Cows do not like to eat feed that another cow or steer has slobbered on. Adequate bunk space of 2 to 3 feet and feeding on a designated schedule will improve consumption.
3. Dominance is established with each cow getting a social position. This position can change. Aggressive behavior occurs with new animals. After dominance is established, aggressiveness decreases, and the feeding drive becomes dominant. Try not to change cows from one group to another.
4. Cows are able to eat more dry matter with low-moisture feeds. Cows can eat more hay dry matter (DM) than silage (DM) and more silage (DM) than pasture.
5. Calves raised in groups eat more dry matter as adults than do calves raised isolated.
6. Cattle have the instinct to fill up on feed right before dark and at daylight. The amount fed should be fed early at sunrise and sunset.
7. Cows enter the milking parlor better when feed is fed in the barn.
8. Cows eat pelleted feeds at 3.5 lbs/minute when fed small amounts but when fed greater than 10 pounds per feeding, the consumption rate drops to 2.3 lbs/minute.
9. Older cows eat faster than younger cows. Jerseys eat slower than Holsteins. This may be why Jerseys can be fed a ration with a greater percentage of grain.
10. When cows are first subjected to computer feeding, 90 percent of the cows use them with a lot of aggression. The remaining 10 percent use them in five days if locked in the stall. After four months, the dominant cows' aggression backs off, and all cows, including timid and low-social dominant cows, are able to use the feeder freely.
11. Cows fed a TMR ate 28 percent more feed when fed from a fence line feeding than when fed from a trough with eating from both sides. This principle is important for feedlot cattle and dairy cows.
12. Cows should be fed low so their heads are in a grazing position. Cows eating in a grazing position secrete 17 percent more saliva, causing normal rumen buffering, higher fat tests and less acidosis and/or founder. There is less feed tossing, reducing feed waste by 5 percent.
13. Cows maximize intake and reduce feed waste if 5 percent is left in the bunk at the next feeding. For this to be a good practice, clean out the bunk before placing the next feed in the bunk.
14. Feed floors or troughs should be level or have a maximum of less than a 3 percent slope. Furthermore, holding pens with slopes of 5 percent or greater restrict parlor entry and movement in general.
15. Cows eating through barriers such as head lot stanchions have less problems with bossy, dominant cows, and younger, timid cows are more comfortable eating.
16. When cows share a waterer, the timid cows drink less and give less milk. Though it is impractical, the only way to prevent this is to have a water bowl for each cow.
17. Ten percent of cows will toss their feed. Feed tossing is more of a problem during the summer.
18. Some cows lap their water. Water lapping may be due to boredom, but when you observe cows doing it, check for stray voltage.
19. Cows can be trained. Maybe this is why some are more successful than others in gain or milk production. Behavior can be taught if there is consistency and reinforcement. An example is feeding on time, cleaning the bunks and running all the cows up to the bunk.

Cattle are social animals that function within a herd structure. A follow-the-leader activity is most common. Cows are quiet, docile animals that need to be handled gently. They can be trained and manipulated as long as we understand their basic instincts. But cattle develop their own personalities if left to do so. These personalities can be manipulated positively and may be why one herd breaks production records, cows set individual records, and certain feedlots have better gains and feed conversion than others.