Previous studies have shown that the timing of supplement distribution and supplement type can have implications on forage intake and/or production. For example, Robinson et al. (1997) showed that feeding a protein supplement at 00.30 h compared with 08.30 h increased fat yield through stimulation of rumen fermentation. The objective of the present trial was to test the hypothesis “that supplying a protein supplement either before or after silage was offered would affect feeding pattern and silage intake”.

Twelve multiparous cows, with average starting milk yield of 25.4 (s.d. 5.95) kg/day were allocated to one of six treatments in an incomplete Latin square with four periods of 21 days. Grass silage (219 g/kg DM, 151 g CP/kg DM) was fed ad libitum mixed with barley in the ratio 3:1 on a DM basis.