HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Delahoy, J. E. Articles by Holden, L. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Delahoy, J. E. Articles by Holden, L. A.

Supplemental Carbohydrate Sources for Lactating Dairy Cows on Pasture

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

Corresponding author:
L. D. Muller; e-mail:
lmuller{at}psu.edu.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate steam-flaked corn and nonforage fiber sources as supplemental carbohydrates for lactating dairy cows on pasture. Cows were allotted to a new paddock of an orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) pasture twice daily in one group in both trials. In experiment 1, 28 Holstein cows, averaging 216 d in milk, were randomly assigned to either a cracked-corn (CC) or a steam-flaked (SFC) supplement in a split plot design. The supplement contained 66.7% of corn and a protein/mineral pellet. In experiment 2, 28 Holstein cows, averaging 182 d in milk, were randomly assigned to either a ground corn (GC) or a nonforage fiber (NFF)-based supplemented in a single reversal design. The GC supplement contained 85% ground corn plus protein, mineral, and vitamins. The NFF supplement contained 35% ground corn, 18% beet pulp, 18% soyhulls, 8% wheat middlings plus protein, mineral, and vitamins. In both experiments, cows were fed the grain supplement twice daily after each milking at 1 kg/4 kg milk. In experiment 1, milk production (24.3 kg/d) and composition did not differ between treatments; however, plasma and milk urea N were lower with the SFC supplement. In experiment 2, milk production (27.5 kg/d) was not affected by treatments, which may be related to the medium quality of pasture grazed. The GC supplement tended to reduce plasma and milk urea N and increased milk protein percentage (3.23 vs. 3.19%). Pasture dry matter intake, measured using Cr₂O₃, did not differ between treatments in either experiment 1 (15.1 kg/d) or experiment 2 (12.2 kg/d). Milk production did not differ when mid-late lactation cows on pasture were supplemented with SFC or NFF instead of dry corn.

Key Words: grazing dairy cow • steam-flaked corn • nonforage fiber source • milk

Abbreviation key: CC = cracked corn, GC = ground corn, FO = fecal output, IVDMD = in vitro dry matter digestibility, MUN = milk urea nitrogen, NFF = nonforage fiber, SFC = steam-flaked corn

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. M. Gehman, J. A. Bertrand, T. C. Jenkins, and B. W. Pinkerton The effect of carbohydrate source on nitrogen capture in dairy cows on pasture. J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2006; 89(7): 2659 - 2667. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. K. Lovett, L. J. Stack, S. Lovell, J. Callan, B. Flynn, M. Hawkins, and F. P. O'Mara Manipulating Enteric Methane Emissions and Animal Performance of Late-Lactation Dairy Cows Through Concentrate Supplementation at Pasture J Dairy Sci, August 1, 2005; 88(8): 2836 - 2842. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]