A comparison of offering a high level of concentrates through an out-of-parlour feeder or within a complete diet using high merit cows

Abstract

The genetic merit of the UK dairy herd is increasing rapidly. With cows of higher milk yield potential and higher nutrient requirements, the level of concentrate feeding is likely to increase. Previous studies have shown little benefit with complete diet feeding with cows of medium genetic merit at moderate levels of concentrate feeding (Agnew and Mayne, 1992; Agnew, Mayne and Doherty, 1996). The objective of the present study was to compare offering a high level of concentrates (mean 11.1 kg DM/day) to high genetic merit cows, either separately from the silage using an out-of-parlour (OP) feeder or within a complete diet (CD) system).