The effects of processed whole crop wheat, maize silage and supplement type to whole crop wheat on the performance of dairy cows

Abstract

Previous work has shown that processing whole crop wheat (WCW) at harvest increases starch digestibility (Jackson et al., 2002). However, no effect was seen in terms of milk yield. It has been suggested that the provision of a sugar source might utilise the high rumen ammonia levels found in animals receiving urea-treated whole crop wheat (Abdalla et al., 1999). Sources such as lactose have also been shown to reduce rumen protozoa numbers, increase bacterial protein supply and result in a more stable rumen pH, particularly with high starch diets (Hussain and Miller, 1999). Additionally, to date, processed whole crop wheat has not been evaluated against other alternative forages. The objective of the current experiment was, therefore, to compare processed urea treated whole crop wheat with maize silage and determine the effects of carbohydrate supplementation of whole crop wheat on intake and milk production in dairy cows.