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Factors Necessary for Predicting Responses of Heifers to Silages of Varying Quality¹

Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station, Experiment

ABSTRACT

Three silages with calculated dry matter digestibilities of 56, 63, and 68% were individually fed to dairy heifers to study factors influencing average daily gain. The data were analyzed by least-squares analysis and showed significant influences for digestibility, dry matter intake, and gain/100 lb. of feed on average daily gain (R² = .966). Dry matter intake was influenced by digestibility, body weight, and average daily gain (R² = .890). The animals fed the 68% digestible silage had an average daily gain which was 207% of the gain of the heifers on the 56% digestible silage. The respective differences in digestible dry matter intake and Nutritive Value Index were 190 and 189%. A suggested program for obtaining reliable information to be used in forage testing programs is outlined.

¹ Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station, Journal Series No. 392.