Comparison of Alfalfa Hay and Alfalfa Silage as Roughage for Growing Dairy Heifers in a Limited Milk and Grain Feeding System

Abstract

Satisfactory growth of dairy heifers from birth to 2 years of age was obtained when alfalfa hay was fed as the only roughage. Milk feeding was discontinued at 60 days of age and no grain was fed from 8 to 24 months of age. When wilted alfalfa silage was fed in place of alfalfa hay in this feeding system, growth rates of both Jersey and Holstein heifers were markedly subnormal by accepted standards. Limited quantities of alfalfa hay fed with alfalfa silage improved growth rates but growth was still subnormal. Wilted alfalfa silage is unsatisfactory as the only roughage for dairy heifers in this limited milk and grain feeding system. In order to utilize alfalfa silage for growing heifers, other forages in addition to silage or increased quantities of grain than those fed in this experiment should be provided. Growth rates generally paralleled feed consumption and it is suggested that lack of appetite for silage rather than lack of capacity was reponsible for the lower feed consumption when alfalfa silage was fed.