Performance of Dairy Cows Fed Propionic Acid-treated High-moisture Shelled Corn Rations for Complete Lactations

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Abstract
High-moisture shelled corn (66.5% dry matter) preserved with 1.5% propionie acid, dry shelled corn, and ear corn were mixed into concentrate rations at 71.4, 65.0, and 66.8%. Each concentrate was fed to six lactating dairy cows for 305 days or a full lactation. Actual and fat- corrected milk yields, persistency of milk production, milk fat and protein percent- age, and changes in body weight were not significantly different between the three corn-based concentrates. Intakes of the three grain rations were similar dur- ing early lactation (week 3). However, during mid-lactation (week 18) cows consumed more dry shelled corn than high-moisture shelled corn, while during late lactation (week 34) cows consumed more ear corn than high-moisture shelled com. There was no apparent effect of rations on animal health. Feeding value of high-moisture shelled corn treated with propionie acid at harvest equalled that of dry shelled or ear corn.