Some effects of feeding pasture silage as a supplement to pasture on
reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows.
S. McDougall, D.A. Clark, K.L. MacMillan, N.B. Williamson.
Dairying Research Corporation, Private Bag 3123 Hamilton, New
Zealand.
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 1994,
54: 95-98
Supplementation of a ryegrass/white clover pasture diet with pasture
silage is a common management practice in New Zealand dairy herds. The
effect of this supplementation during early lactation on reproductive
performance has not been investigated. Five herds of 20 cows were formed
before calving commenced on June 1 1992. From August 5 to September 4,
two of these herds were fed 5 kg dry matter/cow/day of pasture silage in
addition to the ryegrass/white clover pasture offered to all herds. Pasture
silage supplementation did not alter the intervals from calving to first
ovulation, first oestrus, or to conception. However, it reduced the first
service conception rate(37.5% vs 53.3%; (sed = ± 10.0%), for pasture and
silage and pasture only cows; respectively).
A positive effect on reproductive performance of pasture silage
supplementation was not demonstrated in this trial.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Dairy; supplementation; silage; pasture; reproduction.
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
