Abstract
To test the feasibility of combining low protein corn stover with high protein alfalfa as a diet for dairy heifers, four diets - 1) 90% whole corn plant and 10% soybean oil meal dry matter, 2) 60% corn stover and 40% alfalfa, 3) 30% corn stover and 70% alfalfa, and 4) 100% alfalfa — were ensiled for at least 45 days and fed to 28 yearling Holstein heifers in a 154-day growth trial. Heifers were housed under freestall conditions and individually fed for ad libitum intake via electronic feedgates. Concurrently four yearling heifers were fed the same diets in a 4×4 Latin square digestion trial. Heifers fed diets 1 to 4 averaged daily gains of .66, −.11, .40, and .65kg on average daily intakes of 7.62, 4.60, 7.11, and 8.11kg dry matter. Digestion coefficients for dry matter, fiber constituents, protein, and energy did not differ among diets. Average daily gains were related to intake, and intake of the three alfalfa diets was related to percent stover. Addition of corn stover to alfalfa at 30% of the diet or greater did not support adequate gains for yearling dairy heifers.
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