VALUE OF WHOLE PLANT FABA BEAN SILAGE AS THE SOLE FORAGE FOR LACTATING COWS

Abstract

Lactating Holstein cows fed either whole plant faba bean silage or grass–legume silage as sole forage produced similar yields of milk of comparable composition. Dry matter intake and body weight gain were greater for cattle fed faba bean silage, but apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein and energy, and proportions of rumen volatile fatty acids were similar.