Feeding Value of Opaque-2 Corn Grain and Corn Silage for Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract

Forty lactating cows were fed one of four diets containing combinations of regular or opaque-2 corn grain and corn silage in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement for 112 days to determine the feeding value of opaque-2 corn grain and corn silage. Milk production and milk composition were similar for all treatments. Type of corn had no effect on feed intake or efficiency of feed conversion to 4% fat-corrected milk. The apparent digestibilities of organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract, and total digestible nutrient content were greater for diets containing opaque-2 corn grain compared to diets containing regular corn grain. However, acid detergent fiber digestibility was greater for regular corn grain than for opaque-2 corn grain. Opaque-2 corn and regular corn appear to be equal in feeding value for lactating cows. © 1979, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.