Empty Bunk Syndrome – Are You Shortchanging Your Cows?

Empty bunk syndrome isn’t just a matter of bare concrete for hours at a time, it can happen in smaller, micro spurts throughout the day. Dairies may be experiencing this without realizing the impact it’s having on herd health and productivity. It’s crucial to recognize the subtle signs that cows are not getting what they need so you can take action.

Watch Your Cows Before Feeding Time

Observe the cows at the bunk in the lead-up to feeding—anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour before feed drop. One indicator is when cows start reaching for feed or “scooping” with their tongues. This behavior suggests they are hungry and may be going through the remaining feed, indicating that the bunk has been empty for too long. This is typically referred to as “Functionally Empty”.

Watch for Sorting

Sorting happens when more aggressive cows eat first, leaving behind feed that is less appealing for the less dominant cows. This leads to inconsistent intake, and ultimately, it can cap a cow's production potential because she’s not consuming enough high-quality, nutrient-dense feed. What is on paper should be what is in the bunk for the entirety of a day’s feeding cycle. Watch for “burrowing” or “tunneling” through a feed ribbon, where cows are searching for and consuming the goodies that fall towards the concrete. Use a Penn State Shaker box to compare feed dropped vs. feed picked up at the end of a feeding cycle. This is a useful tool to help find out where things are at and can be a tool to assist with finding out where adjustments can be made.

Are Feed Pushes and Bunk Adjustments Enough?

When you notice these behaviors, ask yourself whether a simple feed push or bunk adjustment will resolve the issue. You may need to reassess how much feed you’re providing and how often, or even the possibility of adding water at the mixer. If dry matter intakes are trending upward, your cows need more of it to match their increased consumption. It is essential to adjust feeding amounts as the herd's needs change over time.

Listen to What Your Cows Are Telling You

Setting a weigh back goal per head on a dry matter basis is the basic starting point, but it’s not the whole solution. You also need to observe your cows' behavior on the next level…listen to the cow(s). Are they displaying signs of hunger? Look for "corkscrewed" front feet or the infamous "reach" method, where cows stretch their necks to access feed that isn’t easily within reach. These are clear indicators that your cows are asking for more feed, and they’re asking for it now. If your cows are hungry, it’s time to make the necessary adjustments to your feeding routine.

Final Thoughts

All dairymen know these points and this blog is intended as a reminder to self-check and listen to what our cows are telling us. Self-evaluation and awareness are always a good starting point to get to the next level. Empty bunk syndrome is more than just no feed in front of a cow — it’s about missed opportunities to maximize feed intake and production. By keeping a close eye on your cows’ behaviors before feeding and ensuring that feed is available consistently, you can keep your herd performing at its best. Your cows are telling you what they need; when cows are asking for feed, it’s our job to give it to them.