Performance of Lactating Dairy Cows Fed Coastal Bermudagrass Pellets and Corn Silage Individually and in Combination

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Abstract
Groups of 6 cows each were fed Coastal Bermudagrass pellets, corn-soybean silage, one-half Coastal pellets and one-half silage, and rye pasture during an 8-wk treatment period. The Coastal Bermudagrass was harvested 3 weeks after the previous cutting, dehydrated, ground, pelleted, and stored for 1. 5 years prior to feeding. Each cow, not receiving pasture, was fed 1. 36 kg/day of long Coastal Bermudagrass hay. Feeding pellets and silage increased forage dry matter intake and milk production over those fed forages individually. No protein, SNF, and fat content of milk and body weight gains were materially affected by the combination. No significant performance of cows given pasture from the combination group was observed. Average adjusted milk production during the last week of the maximum treatment period for those fed pellets, silage, pellets and silage, and pasture, was 12.5, 13.3, 15.6, and 15.2 kg/ cow/day. The first 3 treatment groups average forage dry matter intake was 13.1, 10. 7, and 14. 3 kg/cow/day.