The Effect of Roughage Intake upon the Fat Content of Milk

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Abstract
Expts. are presented in which 20 Holstein cows were used to study the effect of low-roughage intakes upon the production of milk and milk fat. When cows were fed 5 pounds or less of hay and sufficient grain mixture to satisfy their energy requirements, the fat content of the milk and the milk yield showed significant drops as compared with similar cows fed an average of about 12 lb. of hay, 30 lb. of corn silage and small amts. of a grain mixture. The possible importance of rumen fermentation in the normal production of milk and milk fat in dairy cows is discussed.