HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dowden, D. R. Articles by Jacobson, D. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Dowden, D. R. Articles by Jacobson, D. R.

A Comparison of Zero, Moderate, and Liberal Levels of Grain Feeding for Lactating Cows on Permanent, Improved, and Supplemental Pasture¹

Dairy Section, University of Kentucky, Lexington

ABSTRACT

Two grain-feeding trials, involving the continuous employment of 24 and 18 lactating dairy cows, were conducted during the 1956 and 1957 pasture seasons. Three types of pasture were utilized in each of the two seasons. The feeding of a moderate (5–6 lb.) or a liberal (10–12 lb.) amount of grain had no significant effect on milk production or on body weight.

Grain feeding caused a reduction in the consumption of pasture dry matter of 1.8–3.8 and 3.0–7.5 lb. at the moderate and liberal rates of grain feeding. The net gains in total dry matter consumption were 1.3 and 1.4 lb. for the moderate and liberal grain levels in 1956. In 1957, these values were 2.4 and 5.5 lb., respectively. The different response from grain feeding in the two seasons likely was due to a lower-quality pasture in 1957.

In both trials, there was a highly significant difference in average dry matter digestibility among pastures in favor of orchardgrass-Ladino clover and orchardgrass-Ladino clover plus Sudan grass over Kentucky bluegrass-white clover pasture. Protein digestibility was greater during the 1956 pasture season, probably as a result of the greater and more even distribution of rainfall.

¹ The investigation reported in this paper is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with the approval of the Director.