Offered Papers Theme A: Efficient Production from Grassland
Description
Grazed grass is the cheapest feed available on Irish dairy farms. The inclusion of grass in the diet of the spring-calving dairy cow in early lactation is recommended. Previous studies focused on introducing grazed herbage into the cows diet in early spring in conjunction with grass silage and concentrate, and compared this to cows fed indoors. The objective of this study was to compare the milk production and feed budget of two contrasting early lactation feeding regimes. One regime was based on a high herbage inclusion with a low concentrate level (HG), while the other was based on a high concentrate inclusion with grass silage (HC).
Citation
Kennedy, E.; O'Donovan, M.; Murphy, J. P.; O'Mara, F. P.; and Delaby, L., "The Effects of a High Grass Input Feeding System Compared to High Concentrate Input Feeding System Offered to Spring Calving Dairy Cows in Early Lactation" (2023). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 74.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/20/themeA/74
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Effects of a High Grass Input Feeding System Compared to High Concentrate Input Feeding System Offered to Spring Calving Dairy Cows in Early Lactation
Grazed grass is the cheapest feed available on Irish dairy farms. The inclusion of grass in the diet of the spring-calving dairy cow in early lactation is recommended. Previous studies focused on introducing grazed herbage into the cows diet in early spring in conjunction with grass silage and concentrate, and compared this to cows fed indoors. The objective of this study was to compare the milk production and feed budget of two contrasting early lactation feeding regimes. One regime was based on a high herbage inclusion with a low concentrate level (HG), while the other was based on a high concentrate inclusion with grass silage (HC).
