Publication Date
1997
Description
In three experiments maize silages which varied in quality, i.e. starch content and dry matter digestibility (DMD) replaced a high proportion (60-67%) of grass silage in the diet of cows in early or mid-lactation. In each experiment the forages were supplemented with concentrates (4 or 6 kg/cow/day). Replacing high quality grass silages (DMD 750 g/kg) with high quality maize silages (starch 219 or 355 g/kg DM, DMD 694 or 754 g/kg) significantly increased forage intake, milk yield, milk protein concentration and the yield of fat and protein (Experiments 1 and 3). Replacing grass silage with a low starch maize silage (starch 15 g/kg DM, DMD 703 g/kg) had no effect on forage intake or milk production (Experiment 3). However, replacing a moderate quality grass silage (DMD 684 g/kg) with either a low quality maize silage ( starch 37 g/kg DM, DMD 610 g/kg) or a moderate quality maize silage (starch 146 g/kg DM, DMD 618 g/ kg), with a reduced digestibility due to late harvesting (November), resulted in a reduction in milk yield despite an increase in forage intake (Experiment 2). Yield of fat and protein on the maize based diets in Experiment 2 were maintained compared with the grass silage based diet. These results show that a high quality maize silage (> 200 g starch/kg DM) will increase forage intake and milk production compared with good quality grass silage. Low starch maize silage grown in a poor season is equivalent to good quality grass silage for milk production provided that it is harvested in October before its digestibility declines.
Citation
Fitzgeald, J J., "Effect of Variation in the Quality of Forage Maize Silage in Ireland on Forage Intake and on Milk Production of Dairy Cows" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 18.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session17/18
Included in
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Effect of Variation in the Quality of Forage Maize Silage in Ireland on Forage Intake and on Milk Production of Dairy Cows
In three experiments maize silages which varied in quality, i.e. starch content and dry matter digestibility (DMD) replaced a high proportion (60-67%) of grass silage in the diet of cows in early or mid-lactation. In each experiment the forages were supplemented with concentrates (4 or 6 kg/cow/day). Replacing high quality grass silages (DMD 750 g/kg) with high quality maize silages (starch 219 or 355 g/kg DM, DMD 694 or 754 g/kg) significantly increased forage intake, milk yield, milk protein concentration and the yield of fat and protein (Experiments 1 and 3). Replacing grass silage with a low starch maize silage (starch 15 g/kg DM, DMD 703 g/kg) had no effect on forage intake or milk production (Experiment 3). However, replacing a moderate quality grass silage (DMD 684 g/kg) with either a low quality maize silage ( starch 37 g/kg DM, DMD 610 g/kg) or a moderate quality maize silage (starch 146 g/kg DM, DMD 618 g/ kg), with a reduced digestibility due to late harvesting (November), resulted in a reduction in milk yield despite an increase in forage intake (Experiment 2). Yield of fat and protein on the maize based diets in Experiment 2 were maintained compared with the grass silage based diet. These results show that a high quality maize silage (> 200 g starch/kg DM) will increase forage intake and milk production compared with good quality grass silage. Low starch maize silage grown in a poor season is equivalent to good quality grass silage for milk production provided that it is harvested in October before its digestibility declines.
