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 Wangsness, P. J. Articles by Muller, L. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Wangsness, P. J. Articles by Muller, L. D.

Maximum Forage for Dairy Cows: Review^1,2,

Department of Dairy and Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802

ABSTRACT

The following are important considerations in efforts to increase forage and to decrease grain in diets fed to dairy cows. 1) Forage quality — of foremost concern. 2) Forage type vs state of lactation — higher energy density diets may be useful postcalving. 3) Improved ways to conserve or harvest forages — the use of preservatives such as formic acid offer potential for hay-crop silage. 4) Physical form of forage — chopping fineness must be adequate but still provide adequate roughage (scratch) to prevent the problems discussed. 5) Feed additives — such additivies as buffers, including sodium bicarbonate, limestone, and magnesium oxide offer potential. 6) Use of complete diets — can be beneficial along with increased feeding frequency which will enhance intake and efficiency of utilization of the diet.

In the final analysis, however, there must be a combination or balance of all these factors if progress is to be toward the goal of increasing forge and decreasing grain for lactating dairy cows while maximizing profit.

¹ Authorized for publication as Paper No. 5927 in the Journal Series of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Invitational paper in the Feeding and Management Program at the Annual Meeting of ADSA, Logan, UT, June 26, 1979.