Effect of Forage-Concentrate Ratio in Complete Feeds Fed ad Libitum on Feed Intake Prepartum and the Occurrence of Abomasal Displacement in Dairy Cows

Abstract

Forty Holstein cows were assigned to four complete feeds of: a) 75:25; b) 60:40; c) 45:55; and d) 30:70 forage to concentrate ratios, 28 days before parturition, to examine the effect of ration energy level on the ad libitum consumption of energy in relation to requirements. During 25 days following parturition, 0, 2, 4, and 4 cases of left displacement of the abomasum occurred in the four ration groups, respectively. The mean daily dry matter intake 28 days prepartum did not differ significantly (P