Effect of Hay Feeding in Summer on Milk Production and Grazing Performance of Dairy Cows

Abstract

Tests were.con-ducted during the summer of 1946 at Baton Rouge, La., to determine if limited or full feeding of hay at midday to cows on good permanent pasture would aid in preventing a decrease in milk production. Four groups of 5 cows each were used as in 2 double-reversal trials over three 20-day periods. The hay fed consisted of about 2/3 of white Dutch clover and 1/3 of 2 native canary grasses, with the presence of the grasses greatly reducing its palatability. Average change in production for the 2 groups used in determining the influence of limited hay feeding (0.5% of body wt. daily) was + 0.4 and [long dash]1 lb. of milk per cow daily. Daily hay consumption averaged 4.69 lb. per cow during periods fed hay. The 2 groups on the full-hay feeding phase showed changes due to the hay supplementation averaging +0.1 and [long dash]0.1 lb. per cow daily compared to check periods, and during periods fed hay consumed an average of 5.54 lb. per cow daily. Changes in milk yields due to feeding of hay proved insignificant and economically unprofitable. No reduction for time spent grazing due to limited hay feeding could be found, although those on full feeding of hay grazed an average of 40 min. per day less than during check periods without hay. This difference appeared to be due to chance variation. Hay feeding failed to produce definite changes in body wts. Data are presented showing night and daytime grazing performance as well, as periods during the day spent grazing, eating hay, lying in the mud, and lying in the shade (not in the mud).