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Effect of Various Levels of Grain Feeding¹

Physiological Effects of High Level Concentrate Feeding

Department of Dairy Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park

ABSTRACT

It is obvious that high-level concentrate feeding usually results in increases in milk production, mainly due to greater intake of energy. However, attention is called to the fact that unlimited grain feeding does not always increase production and may, in fact, be detrimental to the cow. It is postulated that feeding at too high a level of concentrates may force the animal into a fattening type of metabolism which may be antagonistic to a metabolism geared to produce milk efficiently. High levels of dietary concentrates tend to depress milk fat percentage, to increase milk protein, to depress digestion of dietary fiber, and to alter the proportions of rumen volatile fatty acids. Limited evidence is presented that dietary fiber levels below 13–14% of the dry matter consumed may be detrimental to the lactating animal. Data are presented which indicate that maximum nutrient intake is reached when concentrates make up 50 to 60% of the total dry matter consumed. There is a need for much more information on the long-term effects of high proportions of dietary concentrates or low levels of fiber.

¹ Presented at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association, University of Arizona, Tucson, June, 1964.