Silage alternatives give milk production a boost

REPLACING RYEGRASS silage with mixtures of red clover silage and forage maize increases milk production, even when forage intake is restricted, according to the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research.

Richard Dewhurst of IGER said milk yields increased about 5kg/day when replacing with ryegrass silage with mixtures of red clover and maize silages in three different proportions.

 The DEFRA-funded study, to assess potential for legumes and their effect on nitrogen excretion, used eight Holstein Friesian cows in early to mid lactation, changing diets over three four-week periods.

They received 4kg/day of standard concentrate and one of three forage treatments fed ad-lib. These were perennial ryegrass silage, 40% red clover silage with 60% maize on a dry matter basis and 25% red clover with 75% maize silage.

 A fourth treatment used 40% red clover and maize, but intake was restricted so cows ate the same as the grass silage fed cows, said Dr Dewhurst.

 “Perennial ryegrass and red clover silages were first cuts prepared in clamps and as round bales, respectively. Feed intake, milk production, milk composition and nitrogen partitioning were recorded in the final week of each period.

 “Nitrogen use efficiency was similar for grass silage and 40% red clover plus maize. But N-use efficiency increased by reducing nitrogen intake, either by restricting forage intake or using a lower inclusion of red clover silage,” he added. Set in a table