ARS | Publication request: THE EFFECT OF SILAGE FROM TROPICAL CORN FROM THREE DIFFERENT POPULATION DENSITIES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING DAIRY COWS

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 10, 1994
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to measure the performance of cows fed silage from a tropical corn variety (DKXL678C) from three different population densities on the performance of lactating dairy cows. Twenty-four cows were individually fed a common conventional corn silage based ration for the first 42 days postpartum. Then they were randomly divided into three treatment groups and individually fed rations with approximately 50% of the DM from silage derived from tropical corn for 84 days. Performance values measured during the first 42 days were used to covariately adjust those measured during the next 84 days. Corn population density treatments were: Lo--41,002; Med--68,419 and Hi--93,119 plants/hectare. Daily per cow DM intakes average 22.5, 20.7 and 20.2 kg and daily per cow FCM production average 30.4, 31.1 and 28.2 kg for the Lo, Med and Hi groups. DM intakes measurements were not significantly influenced by corn population density. Cows in the Hi group produced significantly (P<0.05) less FCM than those in the Med group. No other FCM treatment differences were significant. Planting density did not significantly affect milk composition or bodyweight changes composition or bodyweight changes.