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The effect of silage preference on the performance of dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2017

R.F. Heller  and
R.H. Phipps
R.F. Heller
Affiliation:
The Animal and Grassland Research Institute, Church Lane, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AQ
R.H. Phipps
Affiliation:
The Animal and Grassland Research Institute, Church Lane, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AQ
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Extract

Numerous factors such as the digestibility value, fermentation characteristics and chop length of silage have all been shown to increase the intake and performance of dairy cows.

Although the effect of silage preference has been examined with young stock and dry cows there has only been a limited number of studies involving lactating cows.

The aim of the present trial was to determine the effect on intake and performance of lactating dairy cows offered either grass silage alone, a mixture of grass and maize silages blended in a ratio of 1:2 or a free choice of grass and maize silages.

Thirty-three British Friesians in weeks 17-24 of lactation were used in the study. All animals received 6 kg/d of a concentrate supplement containing 190 g/kg DM of crude protein and 12.8 MJ ME/kg CM and allowed ad libitum access to the silages.

Type
Dairy Cow Feeding
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1986 , March 1986 , pp. 7
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1986

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