Complete Feed Rations for Lactating Dairy Cows1,2

Abstract

TRIAL 1. Three methods of feeding, I—long: hay ad libitum plus 1kg of concentrate per 2.5kg of FCM; II—long hay and concentrate ad libitum; III—complete feed ad libitum, were compared in a switchback design. The complete feed consisted of a mixture of 70% concentrate and 30% coarsely ground hay (2.54-cm screen). Daily TDN intake was 9.78, 13.49, and 11.56kg for Treatments I, II, and III, respectively. Mean daily milk production was 17.86,19.23, and 19.70; FCM was 17.11,16.61, and 18.36kg for Treatments I, II, III, respectively. Treatment III was significnatly greater than I for both milk and FCM yields (P<.05). Milk fat percentages were 3.80, 3.22, and 3.65 for Treatments I, II, and III, respectively.TRIAL 2. Ad libitum feeding of ground hay, ground corn cobs, and cottonseed hulls complete feeds were compared in a Latin-square changeover design. Mean daily feed intake of the cottonseed hull complete feed (20.2kg) was greater (P<.01) than the hay or corn cob complete feeds (17.9 and 18.1 respectively). Milk production of the cows on the hay and cottonseed hull complete feeds was 22.0 and 21.9kg, respectively. This was greater (P<.05) than the 20.8kg produced by the cows fed the corn cob complete feed. No significant differences in milk composition were observed between the different complete feeds.