The effect of two contrasting concentrate allocation strategies on the performance of grazing dairy cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the performance of grazing Holstein–Friesian dairy cows when equal quantities of concentrates were offered using either a flat-rate or a feed-to-yield allocation strategy. The study involved fifty-six cows (twenty primiparous and thirty-six multiparous) and continued for 122 d, with concentrate feed levels adjusted on five occasions during the study (every four weeks approximately). Total concentrate intake over the duration of the study was 463 and 525 kg cow−1 (3·8 and 4·3 kg cow−1 d−1) for multiparous and primiparous animals respectively. Concentrate allocation strategy had no effect on average daily milk yield, milk fat or protein content, milk-fat-plus-protein yield or end-of-study live weight and body condition score (P > 0·05). In conclusion, concentrate allocation strategy had minimal impact on the overall performance of these mid/late lactation cows when concentrate feed levels were modest and grass availability was high.