Supplementary feeding of forage to grazing dairy cows, 3. The effect of three daytime stocking rates on the performance of cows offered grass silage overnight |
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| Authors: | D J ROBERTS J D LEAVER |
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| Institution: | The West of Scotland Agricultural College, Crichton Royal Farm, Dumfries, UK |
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| Abstract: | Over a 24-week period, three groups of dairy cows were continuously stocked at 8, 10 or 12 cows ha-1 between morning and afternoon milkings, and overnight were housed and offered grass silage ad libitum. Due to a prolonged drought, sward heights only averaged 4·1 cm.
The increase in daytime stocking rate led to a decline in herbage intake, and increases in silage intake. At the highest stocking rate (12 cows ha-1), the silage intake failed to compensate for the reduced herbage intake. Consequently the total dry matter and estimated metabolizable energy intakes were lower than for the 8 and 10 cows ha-1 treatments. Milk yields and milk composition were not significantly affected by treatment but the 12 cows ha-1 stocking rate gave the lowest milk and milk solids yields.
The utilized metabolizable energy (UME) on the grazed swards was greatest for the 10 cows ha-1 treatment. The sward cut to provide the silage had a UME level (GJ ha-1) 32% greater on average than the grazed swards during the same growth period. The total areas utilized for grazing and silage production for 8, 10 and 12 cows ha-1 were 0·240, 0·224 and 0·215 ha respectively. Fat and protein yields per unit area were greatest for the 10 cows ha-1 group. |
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