Bob Traweek
Dublin, Texas

Bob Traweek began using POSlLAC In March 1994, and saw an immediate response with supplemented cows giving an average increase of 12 pounds of milk. "POSlLAC is one new technology that gives a definite payback in Increased production and profits," says Bob.

Use of POSlLAC has also dropped the cull rate for this 75 cow Holstein herd. "It allows us to keep cows in the herd at a profitable level," Bob explains. Milking takes place in a single six herringbone two times a day with a rolling herd average of 23,450 pounds of milk, The average in-herd-use of POSlLAC runs 65 to 80 percent of the milking herd and summer productIon averages 72 pounds per cow per day. He estimates the response to POSlLAC during the summer months to be eight pounds per cow per day.

Shade is provided in the holding area and in the corral. Cows are housed in an open lot. Bob recommends year-round feed bunk management, especially during the hottest part of the summer. Feed must be kept fresh. His feeding program includes low moisture wheat silage which is 50 percent dry matter. The TMR is fed just once a day, immediately before cows leave the milking parlor in the afternoon. This is why feed bunk management is so critical to Bob's success. No alfalfa hay is fed and grass is either wheat, coastal or hybrid sudan.