Group-fed concentrate-silage blend versus individually-fed concentrates and group-fed silage for lactating cows

Response of lactating jersey cows fed concentrate twice daily by computer or in a total mixed ration

Two trials were conducted with 36 Jersey cows each to compare intake, production response, and relative economics of four concentrate management systems. Cows were assigned for 25 wk to concentrate fed: 1) for ad libitum consumption twice daily for 10 min, 2) twice daily according to production, 3) via computer feeder according to production, or 4) as part of a total mixed ration. Concentrate was fed at the rate of 1 kg/3.5 kg 4% FCM for treatments 2 and 3 and at the same rate, but to group average FCM, for treatment 4. Concentrate allotments were updated weekly. Cows were individually fed blended corn silage and whole cotton-seed (84:16, DM basis) plus 2.2 kg alfalfa hay/d (Trial 2 only). Concentrate DM intake was 2.3 kg lower and forage DM intake 2.3 kg higher when cows were fed to production (treatments 2, 3, and 4). Milk production was highest in both trials for treatment 2. Fat test was lowest for twice daily ad libitum feeding with no differences found between other methods. Body weight change was similar across treatments and trials. Milk income was similar, fed costs higher, and income over feed cost lower for treatment 1 than for other methods in both trials. Three methods of feeding concentrate according to production were equally effective in maximizing profit.

Performance of dairy cows fed forage and grain separately versus a total mixed ration

Forty multiparous cows beyond peak production were fed forage ad libitum behind Calan doors and grain at 1 kg/2.5 kg milk through a computer controlled feeder, and 40 similar cows were fed a total mixed ration balanced for 32 kg milk behind Calan doors ad libitum. Based on mean milk production from d 16 through 21 of a preliminary period, cows were balanced into two groups within each group of 40 cows. Both groups received the originally assigned ration during d 22 through 49. During d 50 through 77, 20 cows were switched abruptly to the other ration and 20 remained on the original. Cows fed forage and grain separately had milk yields similar to those fed total mixed ration. Dry matter intake was lower for cows fed forage and grain separately from d 22 through 49 due to reduced forage intake and was also lower from d 50 through 77 due to decreased grain intake. Four percent fat-corrected milk production efficiency was higher for cows fed forage and grain separately. Abruptly changing cows from one feeding system to another did not influence milk yield, milk composition, or body weight gain. The computer controlled feeder system is an effective method to allot grain according to milk production requirements in freestall housing.