Net Energy vs. T.D.N. in Evaluating the Efficacy of an All-Alfalfa Hay Ration for Milk Production

Abstract

Seven cows were fed hay and hay plus concentrate rations to observe the effect of these rations upon milk production. Four lots of hay and six different concentrates were fed. Thirty-two different test periods were studied consisting of 16 all-hay periods and 16 hay plus concentrate periods. No marked increases were observed in milk production when part of the hay was replaced by ground corn, cellulose mix, cornstarch, cane sugar, distillers solubles and soybean oil meal which could not be explained on a net energy basis. The actual milk production of cows on an all-alfalfa hay ration was much closer to that expected on the basis of net energy calculations than that expected on the basis of T.D.N. calculations. Copyright © . .