Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
There have been few recent studies on the use of grass-hays by dairy cows, probably as a result of the importance given to studies on silage. Therefore 9 grass-hays, harvested in good conditions, were prepared and fed to dairy cows. With a CP content of 133 g/kg DM and an O.M. digestibility of 64.4%, the intake of these hays was 2.07 % of live weight (12.65 kgDM/animal/day). Their energy supply was sufficient to cover the maintenance needs of the cows, and a mean theoretical daily production of 8.1 kg of milk. The real production was 20.1 kg, and the difference in needs was covered by an average daily supply of 5.2 kg of concentrates. Weight gain by the animals was 98 g/day. Compared with grass silages of excellent quality and harvested simultaneously there was greater intake of these hays (3 comparisons) but a slightly lower total milk production. Their net energy supply was thus slightly lower than that of the silages.
Citation
Dulphy, J P.; Beranger, C; and Micol, D, "Intake of Grassland - Hay by Dairy Cows and its Potential Meet Requirements of Maintenance and Milk Production" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 16.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses10/16)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Intake of Grassland - Hay by Dairy Cows and its Potential Meet Requirements of Maintenance and Milk Production
Kyoto Japan
There have been few recent studies on the use of grass-hays by dairy cows, probably as a result of the importance given to studies on silage. Therefore 9 grass-hays, harvested in good conditions, were prepared and fed to dairy cows. With a CP content of 133 g/kg DM and an O.M. digestibility of 64.4%, the intake of these hays was 2.07 % of live weight (12.65 kgDM/animal/day). Their energy supply was sufficient to cover the maintenance needs of the cows, and a mean theoretical daily production of 8.1 kg of milk. The real production was 20.1 kg, and the difference in needs was covered by an average daily supply of 5.2 kg of concentrates. Weight gain by the animals was 98 g/day. Compared with grass silages of excellent quality and harvested simultaneously there was greater intake of these hays (3 comparisons) but a slightly lower total milk production. Their net energy supply was thus slightly lower than that of the silages.
