Feeding Value of Dry, Ensiled, and Acid Treated High Moisture Corn Fed Whole or Rolled to Lactating Cows

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Abstract
To compare the feeding value of en- siled and acid treated high moisture corn fed whole or rolled with dry corn fed whole or rolled, 48 lactating cows were assigned to six groups in a 3 × 2 factorial design and each group was fed one of six diets: (1) whole or (2) rolled dry corn and forage; (3) whole or (4) rolled en- siled corn and forage; and (5) whole or (6) rolled propionic acid treated corn and forage. All diets were supplemented with a protein, mineral, and vitamin mixture to meet the cows daily nutrient requirements. Equal quantities of dry matter from dry, ensiled, and acid treated corn were offered in the ratio of 1 kg of concentrate (dry corn and supplement equivalent) for each 2.75 kg of milk produced. Hay and haylage were offered free choice in a 1:3 ratio. Dry matter intake, milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk production, milk fat percentage, and sol- ids-not-fat percentage did not differ sig- nificantly between sources of corn (dry, ensiled, acid treated). Rolling corn before feeding to lactating cows improved nutri- ent availability and increased milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk production, and solids-not-fat content of milk. Milk fat percentage was not affected significantly due to rolling the corn. Thus, corn preserved by any of these methods and fed to lactating coves on an equal dry matter basis will produce normal quanti- ties of milk with a normal composition. Rolling corn increased milk yield about 2 kg per cow per day. The monetary benefit of rolling corn will be dependent on the cost of rolling the corn.