Abstract

Abstract Four feeding trials and one digestion trial were used to evaluate methods of corn silage supplementation. Sixty Jersey cows (30 in each of 2 yr) were used to compare 1) corn silage as the only forage, 2) corn silage plus alfalfa hay, and 3) corn silage plus alfalfa low-moisture silage. Milk and 4% fat-corrected-milk production were less on corn silage alone than when either alfalfa hay or alfalfa low-moisture silage was added to the ration. Forage dry matter intake was lower on corn silage alone than on corn silage plus alfalfa low-moisture silage. Fifty-four Holstein cows (30 in trial 1; 24 in trial 2) were used to compare 1) corn silage as the only forage, 2) corn silage plus alfalfa hay, and 3) urea-treated corn silage. Milk production, 4% fat-corrected-milk, and intake of dry matter were more on corn silage plus alfalfa hay than on either corn silage or urea-treated corn silage. Eighteen Jersey heifers were used in a total collection digestion trial to determine the digestibility of 1) corn silage, 2) corn silage plus alfalfa low-moisture silage, and 3) alfalfa low-moisture silage. Digestibilities of dry matter and fiber were higher on corn silage plus alfalfa low-moisture silage than on either silage fed alone.

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