Corn and Sorghum Silage for Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract

Corn and three forage sorghums were compared agronomically, chemically, and as feed for lactating dairy cows. The highest total dry matter production was obtained from FS-22, while corn produced the highest yields of grain. Two feeding experiments were conducted with 12 cows in a switch-back design. Differences in milk production were significant during one year, but differences in percentages of milk fat and solids-not-fat were not significant for either year. Large differences in change in body weight were not significant. Crude protein was highest in corn and lowest in Atlas and FS-22. Corn was lowest and FS-22 highest in per cent crude fiber. Crude fat and ash per cents varied considerably from year to year, but no significant differences among entries could be shown for these factors. Very little difference could be found in total dry matter in corn, Atlas, and FS-1a. The hybrid FS-22 produced the most total dry matter, but was somewhat lower in nutritional value.