Publication Date
1997
Description
A study was conducted over a period of two years to determine the impact of supplemental feed on milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy cows in a spring calving and grazing system. Three groups of Holstein cows consumed either all pasture (P), 2/3 (2/3P), or 1/3 (1/3P) of their feed dry matter from a temperate pasture of mixed grasses and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). The balance of feed for the 2/3P and 1/3P groups was supplied by a supplement containing grain and some forage. Cows calved between March and June. During the grazing season cows consumed 0, 5.8 and 11.1 kg of supplement per day in the P, 2/3P and 1/3P groups, respectively. Average lactation length was 275 days. Milk yield was 17.3c, 21.2b and 26.3a kg/d (P < .01) for the P, 2/3P and 1/3P groups, respectively. Cows consuming only pasture had lower body condition scores at the end of lactation and had more reproductive failure than supplemented cows.
Citation
Dhiman, T R.; Kanneganti, W R.; Walgenbach, R P.; Massingill, L J.; Miltbank, M C.; Russelle, M P.; and Satter, L D., "Production Response to Feed Supplementation of Dairy Cows in a Seasonal Calving and Grazing System" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 32.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/32
Included in
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Production Response to Feed Supplementation of Dairy Cows in a Seasonal Calving and Grazing System
A study was conducted over a period of two years to determine the impact of supplemental feed on milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy cows in a spring calving and grazing system. Three groups of Holstein cows consumed either all pasture (P), 2/3 (2/3P), or 1/3 (1/3P) of their feed dry matter from a temperate pasture of mixed grasses and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). The balance of feed for the 2/3P and 1/3P groups was supplied by a supplement containing grain and some forage. Cows calved between March and June. During the grazing season cows consumed 0, 5.8 and 11.1 kg of supplement per day in the P, 2/3P and 1/3P groups, respectively. Average lactation length was 275 days. Milk yield was 17.3c, 21.2b and 26.3a kg/d (P < .01) for the P, 2/3P and 1/3P groups, respectively. Cows consuming only pasture had lower body condition scores at the end of lactation and had more reproductive failure than supplemented cows.
