The effect of harvesting strategy of grass silage on digestion and nutrient supply in dairy cows

Journal of Dairy Science
K KuoppalaP Huhtanen

Abstract

This study examined the effects of primary growth (PG) and regrowth (RG) timothy-meadow fescue silages harvested at 2 stages of growth on feed intake, cell wall digestion and ruminal passage kinetics in lactating dairy cows. Four dairy cows equipped with rumen cannulas were used in a study designed as a 4 x 4 Latin square with 21-d periods. The experimental silages were offered ad libitum with 8 kg/d of concentrate. Ruminal digestion and passage kinetics were assessed by the rumen evacuation technique. Silages of PG were on average more digestible than RG silages. The concentration of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and indigestible NDF (iNDF) increased and the concentration of digestible organic matter in dry matter (DM) of silages decreased with advancing maturity in PG and RG. Cows consumed more feed DM, energy, and protein and produced more milk when fed PG diets rather than RG diets. Delaying the harvest decreased DM intake and milk production in PG and RG. There were no differences between PG and RG in rumen pH, ammonia N, or total volatile fatty acid concentrations. The intake of N, omasal canal flow of total nonammonia N and microbial N, excretion of N in feces, and ruminal true digestibility of N were higher for PG than ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 19, 2013·Journal of Dairy Science·M KrämerM R Weisbjerg
Nov 22, 2016·Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience·S S NaadlandÅ T Randby
Mar 5, 2018·Journal of Dairy Science·S AhvenjärviM Lidauer
Nov 18, 2018·Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience·J-L ObersonP Schlegel

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