Effect of Ration Moisture Level on Value of Alfalfa Plus Cracked Corn as a Complete-Feed Silage for Lactating Cows

Abstract

Twelve Holstein cows were used in a switch-back design to compare the ad libitum feeding of complete-feed silages containing 68% (H), 53% (M), and 47% (L) moisture. The silages were composed of field-wilted alfalfa and cracked corn added at the time of ensiling to constitute about 50% of the total dry matter. The different moisture levels of silage were obtained by varying the period of field wilting. Cows in one block of the two-block design received an alfalfa-corn pellet supplement. The other block received no pellets. In addition, cows received only water and minerals. Performance differed significantly for (H), (M), and (L) silages in: daily milk yield, 49.3, 53.0, and 53.1 lb; milk fat, 3.73, 3.43, and 3.31%; daily dry matter intake, 32.9, 38.9, and 40.0 lb; and feed efficiency, .40, .65, and .72 megcal digestible energy per pound of 4% FCM. Dry matter digestibility, energy digestibility, and daily FCM yields averaged 68.2%, 67.8%, and 47.8 lb, respectively, but did not differ significantly among silage moisture levels. The supplemental pellets significantly increased milk yield from 48.6 to 55.1 lb/day and decreased fat per cent from 3.75 to 3.24%, but did not significantly affect FCM, dry matter intake, or digestibility. These results suggest that a complete-feed silage has practical potential, especially for mechanized group-feeding operations. © 1965, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.