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Cubed Complete Rations for Lactating Dairy Cows

Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Western Washington Research and Extension and Extension Center, Puyallup, WA 98371

ABSTRACT

Production by cows fed cubed complete rations as compared to the same ration components fed separately as long hay and concentrate was determined in two experiments. The cubed rations reduced milk fat percentages in both experiments and total fat production in one experiment. Solids-not-fat was increased slightly by cubed rations. Lower efficiency of feed utilization for the production of 4% fat-corrected milk was evident for cows fed cubed rations. Losses of body weight following parturition were reduced, and subsequent weight recoveries were more rapid in cows fed cubed rations. Also, molar ratios of acetic/propi-onic acids in the rumen were reduced. Effects of rations on milk composition, changes in body weight, and ratios of volatile fatty acids appear to be related to differences in coarseness or texture of the roughage components of cubed and baled hay rations. The results of these feeding experiments indicate complete rations prepared by cubing chopped alfalfa hay and concentrates in conventional hay cubing equipment have limitations as the sole rations for high producing dairy cows.