All Silage Forage Programs for Dairy Cattle. II. Performance Through Three Lactations

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Abstract
Corn silage, blended corn silage and haycrop silage (60:40 dry matter) or blended corn silage and chopped hay (60:40 dry matter) were fed ad lib as the sole forage to 15 Holstein-Friesian females from birth to completion of 3 lactations. Between 18 mo. of age and 1st parturition animals on corn silage treatment were fed .5 kg protein supplement per day. After 1st parturition, concentrate was fed to a maximum of 12 kg (1st lactation) or 14 kg (2nd and 3rd lactations) per day during 4 wk postpartum. Concentrate was then fed according to production. Protein was balanced by adding 1 kg supplement per day to corn silage treatment during lactation. Measurements of body weight and wither height as well as body condition at 1st calf were similar across treatments. Cows fed the silage-hay combination consumed more forage and total dry matter than those fed corn silage alone in each period except 2nd lactation. Differences were greatest in 1st lactation. Milk and solids-corrected milk yields were higher for animals fed corn silage and hay than for corn silage alone in 1st lactation. Milk composition and solids-corrected milk yield per unit dry matter intake were unaffected by treatment.