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Comparison of Alfalfa Fed as Soilage or Silage and the Only Forage for Lactating Dairy Cows¹

Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames

ABSTRACT

Twenty Holstein and Brown Swiss cows were fed ad libitum silage previously made from first-crop alfalfa, or soilage from second- and third-crop alfalfa and grain, at the rate of 1 lb. for each 4 lb. of milk based on milk yield during a 2-wk. pre-experimental period.

The cows fed soilage consumed more total dry matter and maintained a higher level of milk production than did those fed silage. However, the cows fed silage were slightly more efficient in converting nutrients to milk. During the experimental period, milk from cows fed silage increased slightly in average butterfat content, whereas that from cows fed soilage decreased somewhat. Total solids content of milk from both groups increased rather uniformly. At the completion of the post-experimental period, both groups were producing at almost the same level, with essentially the same relative difference in butterfat and total solids percentages as they had during the pre-experimental period.

¹ Journal Paper No. J-3436 of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 1292.