Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-wpx84 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-22T02:23:51.220Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The responses of high genetic merit dairy cows to changes in silage quality and level of supplementary concentrate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 November 2021

C. P. Ferris
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co Down BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland
F.J. Gordon
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co Down BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland
D.C. Patterson
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co Down BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland
C.S. Mayne
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co Down BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland
M. McCoy
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co Down BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland
Get access

Extract

Supporting the higher milk yields of high genetic merit cows requires an increased supply of nutrients to the animal. In grass silage based production systems this is achieved by either offering additional concentrates or by improving the quality of the silage. However, the relationship between silage quality and the response to concentrate supplementation has not been defined for high merit animals. It might be expected that as level of concentrate supplementation increases, the quality of the silage offered will become less important. This study was undertaken to define the responses of high merit dairy cows to a range of concentrate levels given in addition to two contrasting silage types.

Type
Programme
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)