Effect of Maturity on Nutritive Value of Corn Silage for Lactating Cows

Abstract
Corn was harvested for silage at soft, medium and hard dough and fed ad libitum to 2 groups of lactating Holstein cows (6/group) as the only forage in 2 trials. Dry matter content of the respective maturities averaged 25.4, 30.3 and 33.3%. Milk yields increased significantly with dry matter content of the silages. Dry matter intakes of silage were significantly increased with advancing maturity and were probably responsible for the higher production. No significant effect of maturity was noted in milk composition, body weight gains, efficiency of milk production or total digestible nutrients (TDN) content of silage dry matter.