Supplementary feeding studies with dairy cows

Abstract

The intensification and increased efficiency of milk production by lactating dairy cows over recent years has resulted in increased interest being given to research on supplementary feeding programmes. Interest in greenfeed maize as a summer supplement for lactating cows has arisen because maize yields a high amount of green matter per acre. As much as 35 tons per acre has been achieved. However basic knowledge of the nutritional and economic aspects of greenfeed maize supplementation is limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the supplementation of irrigated pasture with greenfeed maize and its effect of milk yield and milk composition. Food intake was measured during this experiment, and the results were compared with cows fed on spring pasture ad libitum.