Additions of Hay to Corn Silage to Maximize Feed Intake and Milk Production

Abstract

Cows (60) were used in feeding trials to determine the optimum amount of hay with which to supplement an ad libitum corn silage feeding regime for milk production. Maximum dry matter intake was calculated to occur when supplemental hay was fed at the rate of 0.79 [plus or minus] 0.37 lb. of hay/100 lb. of live weight. Four percent fat corrected milk production was calculated to be maximum when 0.52 [plus or minus] 0.22 lb. of hay were fed.