Total Mixed Ration, or TMR, means the roughage, concentrate, protein source, minerals, and additives are mixed into one ration. The idea is simple: every mouthful should be close to the planned nutrient balance. For fattening sheep, the physical form of that ration matters. The same ingredients can behave differently when offered as mash or as pellets.

Quick comparison

Why pellets often perform better

Research on fattening lambs has shown that pelleted TMR can increase dry matter intake and average daily gain compared with un-pelleted TMR. The reason is not magic; it is behaviour. Pellets are easy to pick up, less dusty, and more uniform. Sheep spend less time sorting and more time consuming the ration that was actually formulated.

Pelleting also reduces selective feeding. In mash TMR, sheep may eat more grain or tasty ingredients first and leave fibrous or mineral-rich particles behind. That creates uneven nutrient intake inside the same group. In pellets, the animal receives a more consistent bite, which helps the farm keep the ration closer to the nutritionist's plan.

Cost per bag is not the same as cost per kg gain

Mash usually looks cheaper when comparing only the price per bag or per kilogram of feed. But fattening economics should be calculated on cost per kilogram of liveweight gain. If pellets cost more but increase intake, reduce wastage, and shorten the finishing period, they may still be cheaper per kilogram of gain. This is why a farm should track three numbers: feed cost, weight gain, and days to target weight.

Where mash TMR can still work

Mash is not useless. It can work when the farm has fresh mixing, good ingredient quality, low dust, short storage time, and careful trough management. It may suit small farms that prepare feed daily and want to avoid pelleting charges. Mash also gives flexibility: ingredients can be adjusted quickly when fodder or concentrate prices change.

The weakness is consistency. If the mix is too fine, sheep may cough, waste feed, or reduce intake. If particle sizes are too different, the ration can separate during transport or feeding. If there is not enough bunk space, dominant animals may eat the best portion first.

Practical buying checklist

• Ask for crude protein, energy, fibre, calcium, phosphorus, salt, and mineral details.
• Check pellet hardness: it should not crumble into dust, but it should not be too hard for young animals.
• Smell for rancidity, mould, or heat damage, especially in stored feed.
• Introduce any new TMR gradually over 7 to 10 days.
• Keep roughage and water available; high-concentrate feeding without fibre control can create rumen problems.

Best recommendation for intensive fattening

For fast, uniform finishing, pelleted TMR is usually the stronger choice. It supports higher intake, reduces sorting, lowers wastage, and makes storage easier. Mash TMR can still be economical in low-intensity or daily-mixed systems, but it needs stricter management. For a commercial batch, compare the final result: total feed consumed, total gain, mortality or sickness, days saved, and sale price.