Value of Adding Corn Silage and Limited Quantities of Hay to a Grass Silage, Limited Grain Ration for Dairy Heifers

Abstract

The addition of 3/4 lb. of hay per 100 lb. body weight per day to a limited grain-grass silage or a limited grain-grass silage + corn silage ration fed to dairy heifers resulted in 16% greater gain in body weight to 2 years of age. Substitution of corn silage for half of the grass silage resulted in a decrease in body weight gain of 15%. These results were due to differences in protein and energy con-sumption by the animals fed the different forage combinations.