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 Smith, N. E. Articles by Merrill, W. G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Smith, N. E. Articles by Merrill, W. G.

One Group Versus Two Group System for Lactating Cows Fed Complete Rations

Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850

ABSTRACT

Both first lactation and older Holstein cows were assigned to either a one group or a two group system of feeding and management. Animals in the one group system were fed a complete ration of 56% corn silage:44% concentrate, dry matter. In the two group system, cows were fed a similar ration in early lactation and at higher milk production and then shifted to a ration of 84% corn silage:16% concentrate at lower production. Dry matter intakes of corn silage and concentrates were 9.9 and 7.8 kg/cow per day for the one group system, and 11.5 and 5.5 kg/cow per day for the two group system. Cows in the one group system averaged .6 kg milk/cow per day greater yield than cows in the two group system. The average decline in milk yield the 1st wk after group change was 2 kg/cow per day. Milk loss persisted longer in older cows than in first lactations. Magnitude of loss in milk was not related to stage of lactation but to milk production at the time of change. Although milk production was greater in the one group than the two group system, income over feed costs were $30/cow per year greater for two groups, primarily because of reduced intake of concentrate.

¹ Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616.

² Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M, College Station 77843.