Paper tapes from a computerized concentrate feeding system, "The Executive 8085," were collected from six Michigan farms for three months. The tapes contained each cow's identification number, the amount of feed programmed, and the amount of feed consumed by each cow. Cows had actuators on their neck chains which allowed the microprocessor to identify individual cows, limit the feed provided for each animal, and record the feed consumed. Every twelve hours a new tape was generated for the herd. Three hypotheses were investigated in this paper. Hypothesis one: reduced feed consumption would be correlated with the onset of estrus, as indicated by the feeder. Hypothesis two: reduced feed consumption would be correlated with animal diseases, as indicated by the feeder. Hypothesis three: investment cost of the unit will be recouped in just three years through savings in reduced feed costs. Hypotheses one and two were rejected, and hypothesis three was accepted. These case studies illustrate the challenges managers and researchers may have in utilizing computerized individual cow feeders in field environments.
