INTAKE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF CORN, RYE AND SORGHUM-SUDAN GRASS SILAGES BY LACTATING COWS

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1027-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
J. R. LESSARD
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Acid Detergent Fiber ◽  
Sudan Grass ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows

Eighteen lactating Holsteins were utilized in a 3 × 3 Latin square (49 d treatment−1) for a comparative estimation of the intake and digestibility of corn, rye and sorghum-sudan grass silages. The dry matter (DM), protein and acid detergent fiber contents were 32.5, 8.0, 27.0; 25.2, 8.7, 45.6 and 22.4, 10.6, 40.7 percent for corn, rye, and sorghum-sudan silages, respectively. Dry matter intake of the silage and milk yield were less (P < 0.05) for cows fed rye silage compared to those fed corn and sorghum-sudan grass silage. Cows lost body weight when fed rye silage but gained weight when fed either corn or sorghum-sudan grass silage. The feeding of rye silage resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in milk protein percent compared to the feeding of corn or sorghum-sudan silage and in the percentage of milk lactose compared to the feeding of sorghum-sudan grass silage. Molar proportions of rumen acetate were higher (P < 0.05) when cows were fed either rye or sorghum-sudan silage compared to corn silage. Cows fed rye silage had higher molar proportions of rumen propionate and valerate and lower levels of butyrate (P < 0.05) compared to cows consuming sorghum-sudan silage. The digestibility of total ration DM was lower (P < 0.05) when either rye or sorghum-sudan silage was the forage portion of the ration compared to corn. It was concluded from this trial that sorghum-sudan silage provided a suitable source of forage for lactating dairy cows. However, the DM intake and milk yield of cows fed rye silage was less than satisfactory. Key words: Dairy cattle, rye, sorghum-sudan, silage, intake, digestibility

THE INVESTIGATION OF SODIUM BICARBONATE OR BENTONITE AS SUPPLEMENTS IN SILAGES FED TO LACTATING COWS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 939-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
V. G. MACKAY
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Bicarbonate ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows

Two experiments with lactating Holsteins were carried out to determine the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or bentonite, added to silage prior to feeding, as a means of increasing dry matter intake. In the first trials the feed, consisting of 10% grain mixture, 45% grass silage and 45% corn silage, was supplemented with 0, 0.6 or 1.2% bentonite in a 3 × 3 latin square utilizing 12 cows and 28-day test periods. Neither level of bentonite improved dry matter intake or milk yield. Milk composition, molar proportions of rumen volatile fatty acids, plasma calcium and phosphorus were not influenced by additions of bentonite. Apparent dry matter digestibility was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by the addition of bentonite at the 0.6 and 1.2% levels compared to the cows fed the unsupplemented ration. The digestibility of acid detergent fiber was lower (P < 0.05) for cows fed the silage mixture supplemented with 1.2% bentonite than for the controls. In the second trial a silage mixture consisting of approximately 30% grass silage and 70% corn silage was supplemented with either 0.8% NaHCO3, 2.1% bentonite or neither and fed in a 3 × 3 latin square utilizing 15 cows and 28-day treatment periods. Compared to control cows, neither NaHCO3 nor bentonite had any significant (P > 0.05) influence on dry matter intake, milk yield or rumen fermentation. However, the addition of NaHCO3 to the silage improved milk yield and feed conversion (P < 0.05) when compared to cows fed the silage supplemented with bentonite. It was concluded from these trials that bentonite should not be used as a supplement to silage diets fed to lactating cows. The results suggested that NaHCO3 supplementation had little if any beneficial effect when grass silage made up approximately 30% of the total diet. Key words: NaHCO3, bentonite, lactating cows, silage intake, digestibility

scholarly journals AN EVALUATION OF STEAM-TREATED ASPEN AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CORN SILAGE IN THE RATIONS OF LACTATING COWS

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-384
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Milk Protein Content ◽  
Forage Mixtures

Fifteen lactating Holsteins were used to test processed aspen added to corn silage at the levels of 0, 10 and 20% (dry matter basis). The experiment was designed as a latin square with three experimental periods each 42 days in length. The forage mixtures were fed free choice to the cows, which were housed in a free-stall barn, and their individual feed intakes were recorded by using electronic doors. The processed aspen contained 45.4% dry matter, 73.7% acid detergent fiber and 0.54% protein. There was no evidence of heating or mold growth in the aspen during the 5 mo of the trial. Silage dry matter intake and milk yield were 11.8, 13.4 and 13.4 and 25.7, 27.0 and 26.8 kg per day, respectively, for the silage mixtures containing 0, 10 and 20% processed aspen. Fat test was decreased slightly and milk protein content significantly (P < 0.05) depressed by the addition of 20% processed aspen chips to the corn silage. Efficiency of milk yield was not significantly influenced (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of aspen chips in the silage. Neither the molar proportion of acetic acid nor the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid in the rumen fluid was changed when the cows were fed silage containing processed aspen chips. The apparent digestibilities of total ration dry matter and protein were lowered significantly by the addition of 10% aspen chips to the forage mixture. It was concluded from the results of this trial that steam-processed aspen chips had little nutritive value when fed to lactating cows as a partial substitute for corn silage.

NITROGEN UTILIZATION BY LACTATING COWS FED UREA-TREATED CORN SILAGE OR GRASS SILAGE

1973 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-337
Author(s):  
D. E. WALDERN
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Fiber Content ◽  
Nitrogen Utilization ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
N Balance ◽  
Acid Detergent Fiber ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows

Nitrogen utilization was studied when eight lactating cows were offered ad libitum urea-treated corn silage (15.3% crude protein) or grass silage (14.5% crude protein), plus a grain ration at 1 kg grain to 3.5 kg of 4% fat-corrected milk, in a digestion and nitrogen (N) balance trial. Analyses of the forages indicated greater acid detergent fiber content for the grass than for the corn silage: 46.8 and 35.1% on a dry matter basis, respectively. Digestibility of dry matter, energy, crude protein, true protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and N balance were significantly greater (P < 0.05) for cows fed urea–corn silage than for those fed grass silage. The nitrogen of urea–corn silage was used more efficiently for milk and tissue protein synthesis. Decreased nitrogen utilization for cows fed grass silage was associated with lower energy and higher acid detergent fiber content for grass silage than for urea–corn silage.

EVALUATION OF WHOLE CROP OAT SILAGE AS A BASAL FORAGE FOR LACTATING COWS

1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
J. R. LESSARD ◽  
G. A. LODGE
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Dietary Energy ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Molar Percent ◽  
Dough Stage

Corn silage ensiled at 33% dry matter (DM) (Treatment CS); oats harvested at the milk stage of maturity and ensiled with oat grain (Treatment OG); oats harvested at the milk stage of maturity and wilted prior to ensiling (Treatment OM) and oats harvested at the soft dough stage of maturity and ensiled (Treatment OSD) were fed to each of 16 lactating cows during four successive 49-day periods, according to a switchback design. The silages as fed contained 34.5, 34.2, 31.9 and 36.6% dry matter (DM) and 8.6, 14.0, 14.4 and 10.5% protein for Treatments CS, OG, OM, and OSD, respectively. Forage dry matter (DM) intake was significantly greater (P < 0.01) on Treatment OG than on CS, and significantly less (P < 0.01) on Treatment OM than on either CS, OG or OSD. Milk yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) on Treatment OG than on OM. Milk protein percent was higher (P < 0.05) on Treatment CS than on OSD, and lactose percent was lower (P < 0.01) on Treatment CS than on OG. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on the acetate:propionate ratio in the rumen fluid. However, molar percent of rumen butyrate was significantly (P < 0.05) lower on Treatment OM than on either CS or OG. The apparent digestibilities of silage DM were 58.6, 58.0, 60.8, and 52.9, and of silage crude protein were 43.3, 65.3, 63.8, and 55.0 for Treatments CS, OG, OM, and OSD, respectively. Efficiencies of conversion of dietary energy and protein to milk energy and protein were also calculated.

scholarly journals The Order of Grass and Maize Silage Supplementation Modifies Milk Yield, Grazing Behavior and Nitrogen Partitioning of Lactating Dairy Cows

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio E. Beltrán ◽  
Omar Al-Marashdeh ◽  
Ana R. Burgos ◽  
Pablo Gregorini ◽  
Oscar A. Balocchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Nitrogen Partitioning ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Grazing Behavior ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Holstein Friesian

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the order of grass silage (GS) and maize silage (MS) supplementation on milk yield, grazing behavior and nitrogen (N) partitioning of lactating dairy cows during autumn. Thirty-six Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments, and cows remained on these treatments for a 62 days period: (1) MIX; cows supplemented with 3 kg of dry matter (DM) of silage containing 1.5 kg DM of MS and 1.5 kg DM of GS in both the morning and afternoon; (2) GS-MS; cows supplemented with 3 kg DM of GS in the morning and 3 kg DM of MS in the afternoon; (3) MS-GS; cows supplemented with 3 kg DM of MS in the morning and 3 kg DM of GS in the afternoon. All cows received a pasture allowance of 17 kg DM/cow/d and 3 kg DM of concentrate. Grazing time and pasture intake were unaffected by treatment; however, milk production was greater for MS-GS, while milk protein was greater for GS-MS. Urinary N excretion was greater for MS-GS than MIX. In conclusion, MS-GS resulted in high milk yield but also high urinary N excretion, while MIX resulted in low urinary N excretion but also decreased milk yield.

A COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS OF COMBINING ALFALFA CUBES WITH CORN SILAGE FED TO LACTATING COWS

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-565
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Protein Digestibility ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Fat Yield ◽  
Changeover Period ◽  
Feeding Systems

Sixteen Holstein cows in early lactation were assigned to a switch-back experiment consisting of two experimental periods 35 days in length separated by a 7-day changeover period. Treatments consisted of two feeding systems, alfalfa cubes ensiled with corn silage or alfalfa cubes fed with the corn silage. When cows were fed corn–alfalfa cube silage they consumed more forage, 2.26 vs. 2.16% of body weight per cow per day than when they were fed the alfalfa cubes with the silage. Fat-corrected milk yield was somewhat higher, 25.4 vs. 24.0 kg/day; fat percent and fat yield were greater, 3.13 vs. 2.70% and 918 vs. 814 g/day for corn–alfalfa cube silage as compared to cubes added at feeding time. However, milk yield was greater, 29.9 vs. 29.1 kg/day, and milk lactose percent was greater, 5.26 vs. 5.18% for cows fed cubes at feeding time compared to cows fed corn–alfalfa cube silage. There was no difference between feeding systems in blood minerals or metabolites with the exception of plasma urea nitrogen which was higher, 20.2 vs. 17.2 mg %, for the alfalfa cubes fed with the corn silage. Apparent dry matter and protein digestibility for the total ration were 68.1 and 71.6% when corn alfalfa cube silage was fed compared to 65.4 and 68.5% when the cubes were fed with the corn silage (P < 0.05). It was concluded from this study that alfalfa cubes ensiled with corn silage was an effective method of increasing the dry matter and protein content of corn silage and in improving the digestibility of the total ration.

scholarly journals Replacing grass silage with pea-barley intercrop silage in the feeding of the dairy cow

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. PURSIAINEN ◽  
M. TUORI
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ad Libitum Intake ◽  
Barley Silage

The effect of replacing wilted grass silage (GS) with pea-barley intercrop silage (PBS) on feed intake, diet digestibility and milk production was studied with 8 multiparous Ayrshire-cows in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment. Proportion of PBS was 0 (PBS0), 33 (PBS33), 67 (PBS67) or 100 (PBS100) % of silage dry matter (DM). The DM content was 559 and 255 g kg-1 for GS and PBS. Crude protein content was 131 and 170 g kg-1 DM, respectively. Pea-barley silage was more extensively fermented than GS with total fermentation acid content of 120 vs. 12 g kg-1 DM. Silage was fed for ad libitum intake and supplemented with on the average 13 kg concentrate per day. Silage DM intake was 9.2 (PBS0), 9.7 (PBS33), 9.0 (PBS67) and 7.1 (PBS100) kg per day (Pquadr. < 0.05). The energy corrected milk yield [30.3 (PBS0), 29.8 (PBS33), 30.3 (PBS67), 31.3 (PBS100) kg per day] was not significantly affected by the treatment. Milk protein concentration decreased linearly (P < 0.05) in response to feeding PBS. It is concluded that PBS can replace up to two thirds of wilted, moderate quality GS in the feeding of dairy cows because in this experiment pure pea-barley silage reduced silage intake.

UTILIZATION OF FORMIC ACID TREATED SORGHUM-SUDAN SILAGE BY DAIRY COWS

1971 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
J. R. LESSARD ◽  
G. A. LODGE
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Formic Acid ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Average Moisture Content ◽  
Sudan Grass ◽  
Lactating Cows

Four methods of ensiling sorghum-sudan grass were compared: A, field wilted to an average moisture content of 69% prior to chopping; B, direct cut and chopped; C, direct cut and chopped with 0.5% w/w of 90% formic acid added at time of ensiling; and D, direct cut and chopped with 1.5% w/w molasses added during the ensiling process. The four silages were fed successively to each of 16 lactating cows over periods of 56 days according to a changeover design. Mean silage dry matter intakes (kg/day) were 10.0a, 9.1b, 9.2b and 9.5ab, and mean milk yields (kg/day) were 16.2a, 16.5a, 17.2b and 16.4a for treatments A, B, C, and D, respectively (where means followed by the same letter were not significantly different; P < 0.05). Digestibilities of dry matter, fiber and energy were significantly lower (P < 0.05) for the formic acid-treated than for the wilted silage. The efficiency of energy utilization for milk yield plus body gain was greater (P < 0.05) for formic acid silage than for any other treatment.

VOLUNTARY INTAKE OF SHREDDED NEWSPRINT BY DAIRY COWS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 799-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. GRIEVE ◽  
J. H. BURTON ◽  
H. E. BRAUN ◽  
R. FRANK
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
High Moisture ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Voluntary Intake

Shredded newsprint is a potential source of bedding for livestock, but because it may contain certain heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls significant voluntary consumption of newsprint by animals would be undesirable. To determine consumption levels, 18 Holstein cows in mid-lactation (average 19 wk) were used in a double latin square design. Squares represented access to shredded newsprint or chopped hay in the feed manger except during feeding time. Within squares, cows were allotted to each of three complete mixed rations over three 6-wk treatment periods. Rations comprised hay crop silage, corn silage, high moisture grain corn and soybean meal with roughage:concentrate ratios of 30:70 (LR), 50:50 (MR) and 70:30 (HR). Mixed rations were fed according to individual cow requirements for energy depending on body weight, milk yield and milk fat percent. Cows were allowed 4 h after each of two feedings per day to consume their allotted mixed ration. Voluntary consumption of newsprint was only 0.3 kg per cow per day or 2% of total dry matter intake while for those offered hay consumption was 2.6 kg∙cow−1∙day−1 or 15% of total dry matter intake. Intakes of mixed rations were unaffected by roughage:concentrate ratio or newsprint versus hay. However, total dry matter consumption (mixed ration plus newsprint or hay) was higher for cows offered hay (17.3 kg∙cow−1∙day−1) than for those offered newsprint (15.1 kg∙cow−1∙day−1). Levels of heavy metals in milk or blood samples of cows with access to newsprint were within normally accepted ranges. PCBs were at undetectable levels in all cases. Bedding cows with newsprint is unlikely to result in significant consumption or contamination of animals or their products. Key words: Lactating cows, newsprint consumption, heavy metals

Milk production from grass silage diets: effects of silage characteristics and the amount of supplementary concentrate

1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Aston ◽  
C. Thomas ◽  
S. R. Daley ◽  
J. D. Sutton ◽  
M. S. Dhanoa
Keyword(s):  
Formic Acid ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
Concentrate Level ◽  
Design Experiments

AbstractHigh digestibility ryegrass was ensiled using either good methods including formic acid application (HDG) or poor methods without formic acid (HDP). Low digestibility ryegrass (LDG) and lucerne (LUC) were ensiled using similar methods to HDG. Digestible organic matter in the dry matter (DM) in vivo (DOMD) for HDG, HDP, LDG and LUC were 0·756, 0·774, 0·645 and 0·562 respectively. Silages were offered ad libitum to 40 HolsteinFriesian cows in two Latin-square design experiments during weeks 8 to 22 of lactation either alone (experiment 1) or with 3, 6, 9 or 12 kg concentrate DM per day (experiment 2). Relative intakes of silage given alone were respectively 1·00, 0·44, 0·98 and 0·79. Low intake of HDP could not be predicted from silage analysis. In experiment 2, DM intake increased by 0·11 kg and milk yield by 0·24 kg for each 0·010 change in grass silage DOMD. Intake of HDG, LDG and LUC declined linearly with increasing concentrate, on HDP the effect was non-linear and intake increased up to the 6 kg level.In experiment 1, milk and protein yields were greatest on HDG, protein yield was higher on LDG than LUC and fat concentration higher on HDP and LUC. With supplementation milk yield was greatest on HDG up to the 6 kg level, at higher levels differences between silages were not significant. Fat concentration was highest on LDG and protein highest on HDG and lowest on LUC. On all silages giving the highest concentrate level reduced the concentration and yield of fat. Protein concentration increased up to the 9 kg level. Fat plus protein yields reached a maximum on HDG with 6 kg concentrate DM per day and with 9 kg on the remaining silages.

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