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Ad Libitum versus Restricted Concentrate Feeding of Lactating Dairy Cows¹

Department of Animal Industry, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

R. C. Bernett

Dairy Research, Moorman Manufacturing Company, Quincy, Illinois

ABSTRACT

The lower cost of nutrients in the form of concentrates in many areas of the United States has caused an increased interest in adopting high-grain feeding programs for lactating dairy cows. Reid (14) and Huffman (9) indicate high-level grain feeding of dairy cattle stimulates greater milk production. Reid (15, 16) indicates that most cows with a high productive potential have a limited capacity for feed in terms of TDN required. In order that these cows may approach this productive potential, they must be provided with rations of a high available energy value per unit of weight. Such cows require high-quality roughage or an increased concentrate-to-roughage ratio. High-concentrate-low-roughage rations are not readily accepted by dairymen, because many believe these rations will cause a depression of milk fat test and harm the cow. It is widely accepted that high-concentrate-low-roughage rations depress milk fat (17, 20), but the causative mechanism is not known.

¹ Data are from a thesis submitted by the third author to the Graduate School of Southern Illinois University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Animal Industries, March, 1963.