Value of Adding Corn Silage and Limited Quantities of Hay to a Grass Silage, Limited Grain Ration for Dairy Heifers

Abstract

Summary Twelve Holstein and 12 Guernsey heifers were used to determine if dairy herd replacements can be raised satisfactorily from a few days to 2 yr. of age on a commercial milk replacement, 500lb. concentrates and one or more of the following forage combinations: grass silage alone, grass silage and corn silage (50–50), grass silage and limited hay, and grass silage and corn silage (50–50) and limited hay. The silages were fed ad libitum and hay was fed at the rate of ¾ lb. per 100lb. body weight per day. The inclusion of hay in the ration increased body weight gains, but the feeding of corn silage decreased gains. These results were due to differences in the consumption of nutrients from the various forage combinations. The Guernseys ate approximately the same total amount of forage as the Holsteins; thus, generally carried more body condition. The animals fed grass silage and hay averaged 94% of normal at 2 yr. The other groups did not make satisfactory gains. The feeding of corn silage had no effect on conception rate, but animals fed hay required more services per conception than those not fed hay. Groups of animals which made poor gains generally were delayed in becoming sexually mature and with-calf.