The yield and composition of milk from sows fed varying proportions of separated milk and concentrates

Abstract

Summary The results of two experiments are reported, in which the effects of three rations upon the yield and composition of sows' milk and the efficiency of production over the last seven weeks of an eight-week lactation were measured. In the first experiment, conducted in the summer, a ration consisting of 40% separated milk, plus 60% concentrates was compared with a ration of separated milk alone. In the second experiment, conducted in the spring, a milk plus concentrate ration was compared with one of concentrates alone. Milk only and milk plus concentrates were equally efficient in supporting milk production, and both were more efficient than concentra tes alone. The average milk energy production per sow and the mean gross efficiency of milk production for the sows on the four treatments were -Summer Experiment: Milk plus concentrate 313 therms* 47.2%; Milk only 341 therms, 47.6%. Spring Experiment: Milk plus concentrate 383 therms, 53.2%; Concentrates only 308 therms, 44.3%. Milk energy production ...