Abstract
Ad libitum consumptions of all-hay, 5.5:1, 2.2:1, and 1:1 weight ratios of alfalfa hay and concentrate mixture fed 84 days were compared with consumption of a 7:4 ratio (control) of hay and concentrate fed for 50 days before and 24 days following the experimental period. Eight Holstein cows were used for three treatments and nine for the fourth. Control ratio hay consumption varied from 2.01 to 2.43kg per 100kg body weight (P<.01) over 33 lactations during five years. Variation among cows was indicated by coefficients of variation between 10 and 15%. Within year correlation between body weight and bay consumption was 0.38 (P<.05) and within treatment correlation between hay consumption in the control and experimental periods was 0.83 (P<.01). Nearly linear replacement of hay by concentrate occurred in the ratio of 0.44kg hay per kilogram concentrate with the net effect of doubling estimated net energy consumption of the all-hay ration by feeding the 1:1 ratio.
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