The effect on dairy cows and sheep performances of additives to high dry matter maize silage

J.B. Hutton and P.V. Rattray

Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Hamilton

E-Mail:

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1976, 36: 120-126

The effects of supplementation were greatest with the sheep: dry matter intakes increasing on average by 30%, sufficient to raise the feed value of the maize silage from a maintenance ration to one producing daily weight gains of 110 grams per animal. Compared with unsupplemented maize silage, the addition of nitrogen and minerals produced a 9% increase in the dry matter intake and a 14% increase in the daily FCM production of the cows.

A mixed ration containing 25 to 35% of the dry matter as Tama ryegrass and the remainder as unsupplemented maize silage increased cow intakes and yields of FCM further, but did not increase either the intakes or weight gains of the wethers. FCM yields of cows fed maize silage supplemented with nitrogen and minerals and 25% of the ration as Tama ryegrass were 6% lower than those of others fed to appetite a balanced ration of similar average apparent digestibility.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;