The effect of stage of lactation and season on milksolids response
to supplementary feeding of dairy cows.
J.W. Penno, C.W. Holmes, K.A. MacDonald and B.J. Walsh.
Dairy Research Corporation, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton.
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1998,
58: 113-116
A factorial design was used to determine the effect of offering
cows (n=8) in early, mid, and late lactation 50 MJME/cow/day of rolled
maize grain (T2) or a nutritionally balanced supplement (T3) in spring,
summer, autumn and winter at a restricted pasture allowance. The average
milksolids production of the early, mid and late lactation groups was
1.16, 1.10, and 0.96 kg MS/cow/day (± 0.013), respectively. When
compared to a non-supplemented control (T1), offering T2 and T3
supplements increased MS production from 0.91 to 1.14 and 1.13kg
MS/cow/day (P<0.01), respectively. The milksolids responses to T2 was
150g MS/cow/day greater in summer and winter than in spring and autumn
(P<0.05). Stage of lactation, or form of supplement, had no effect on
milksolids response (P>0.05). These results suggest that the milksolids
response to supplementary feeding was determined by the extent
supplementary feeding increased total ME intake.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
dairy cows; stage of lactation; supplementary feeding; season;
maize grain; pasture.
Last Updated 12-09-1998
