ARS | Publication request: PRODUCTION RESPONSE TO FEED SUPPLEMENTATION OF DAIRY COWS IN A SEASONAL CALVING AND GRAZING SYSTEM

Submitted to: Grassland International Congress Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 12, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: A study was conducted over a period of two years to determine the impact of supplemental feed on milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy cows in a spring calving and grazing system. Three groups of Holstein cows consumed either all pasture (P), 2/3 (2/3P), or 1/3 (1/3P) of their feed dry matter from a temperate pasture of mixed grasses and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). The balance of feed for the 2/3P and 1/3P groups wa supplied by a supplement containing grain and some forage. Cows calved between March and June. During the grazing season cows consumed 0, 5, 8 and 11.1 kg of supplement per day in the P, 2/3P and 1/3P groups, respectively. Cows consuming only pasture had lower body condition scores at the end of lactation and had more reproductive failure than supplemented cows.