THE INFLUENCE OF SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING ON THE HERBAGE INTAKE AND GRAZING BEHAVIOUR OF DRY COWS |
| |
| Authors: | A B Sarker W Holmes |
| |
| Institution: | Wye College (University of London), Ashford, Kent |
| |
| Abstract: | The herbage intake and grazing behaviour of 4 dry cows on autumn grass receiving 2, 4, 6 or 8 kg concentrates/day, was assessed in a 4×4 Latin Square experiment. Total OM intake increased from 11±5 kg/day with 2 kg concentrates to 13±6 kg/day with 8 kg concentrates. The average supplementary effect was 0±46 kg increase in OM intake/kg OM fed as concentrates. Minutes per day spent grazing decreased from 495 with 2 kg concentrates to 359 with 8 kg. The mean decline was 22 min./kg concentrates or 28 min./kg OM in concentrates eaten. Herbage was eaten at an average rate of 47 min./kg OM. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
