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The performance of early-weaned calves offered a high dry-matter silage supplemented with concentrates or dried grass

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

R. Marsh
R. Marsh
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of N. Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down
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Summary

In two experiments a high dry-matter silage (36·8% DM) was offered ad libitum, together with a supplement of a conventional concentrate or cobs of dried grass, to young British Friesian castrated male (steer) calves. The silage was readily acceptable to the calves and was preferred to the dried grass. Intakes of silage DM were significantly higher (P<0·001) when supplemented with dried grass than when supplemented with concentrates, but daily gains were significantly (P<0·001) lower by 0·15 kg. The lower daily gains supported by the silage/dried grass diet were related to lower intakes of digestible organic matter (DOM); efficiency of utilization of silage/dried grass DOM was similar to that of concentrate/silage DOM. The results are discussed in relation to recommended levels of production for calves in a semi-intensive beef system.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , August 1975 , pp. 21 - 30
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1975

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References

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