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Evaluation of Sweet Corn Residue as Roughage for Dairy Heifers¹

University of Illinois, Urbana 61801

ABSTRACT

Sweet corn residues as roughage for dairy heifers was evaluated alone and as a 50:50 mixture (dry matter) with corn silage against corn silage alone. Concentrations of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, and organic acids were greater for sweet corn residue, but dry matter concentration was less than corn silage. Heifers fed sweet corn residue free choice consumed it at 1.5% of body weight. The mixture and corn silage alone were provided at equal intakes of dry matter. Apparent digestibility of dry matter (59.1 versus 69.7%) of sweet corn residue alone was lower than corn silage alone. Heifers consuming the mixture had increased digestibilities of dry matter, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, and crude protein over sweet corn residue alone. Heifers fed corn silage had lower rumen acetate and higher propionate concentrations than heifers fed sweet corn residue. Heifers consumed dry matter at 1.4% of body weight when offered sweet corn residue for ad libitum consumption. A restricted diet of corn silage alone was provided to heifers at equal the dry matter intake provided by sweet corn residue. Average daily gain was lower (.28 versus .79 kg) and ratio of feed to gain higher (21.4 versus 7.5) for feeding of the sweet corn residue diet alone. Heifer growth by heart girth was less for animals consuming sweet corn residue. Feeding a mixture of 50% sweet corn residue with 50% corn silage mixture resulted in higher nutrient digestibilities of sweet corn residue by dairy heifers.

¹ Supported by the Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station as part of Regional Research Project NC-143, "Optimizing the Nutritional Utilization of Forages by Dairy Cattle".

² Department of Dairy Science.

³ 1332 Tenaya Drive, San Jose, CA 95125.