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Effects of varying silage quality for dry cows on feed intake, weight change and performance in the subsequent lactation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

R. J. Dewhurst ,
D. W. R. Davies  and
W. J. Fisher
R. J. Dewhurst
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth SY23 3EB, U.K.
D. W. R. Davies
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Trawsgoed Research Farm, Aberystwyth SY23 4LL, U.K.
W. J. Fisher
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Trawsgoed Research Farm, Aberystwyth SY23 4LL, U.K.
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Extract

Earlier studies (e.g. Dewhurst et al., 1996, 1999) have shown marked declines in forage voluntary intake as calving approaches. The resultant reduction in nutrient supply may compromise performance in the next lactation, because it coincides with a period of intense metabolic activity in preparation for the next lactation. Feeding concentrates to dry cows did not overcome this problem (Dewhurst et al., 1999). The objective of the current experiment was to investigate alternative dry cow strategies, using only high-quality grass silage, to minimise the severity and consequences for subsequent milk production of the reduction in nutrient supply in this period.

Type
Poster Presentations
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2000 , 2000 , pp. 142
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2000

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References

Dewhurst, R. J., Davies, D. W. R., Fisher, W. J. and Aston, K. 1996. Effects of dry period diet on food intake, body composition and subsequent lactational performance of dairy cows. Animal Science 62: 621(abstract).Google Scholar
Dewhurst, R. J., Davies, D. W. R. and Fisher, W. J. 1999. Effects of varying forage type and offering additional concentrates to dry cows. Journal of Dairy Science 82 (Suppl.1): 120(abstract).Google Scholar