Agricultural Reviews
Year : 2000, Volume : 21, Issue : 2
First page : ( 71) Last page : ( 79)
Print ISSN : 0253-1496.

Feeding of grass silage to dairy cows with special reference to systems of concentrate feeding in United Kingdom – A review

Gill M.S., Kaushal J.R.*

Department of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141004, India.

*Dept. of Animal Nutrition, College of Vety. Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, Punjab, India.

Abstract

This review paper consolidates information with special reference to the systems of concentrate feeding to dairy cows with grass silage adlibitum. The additional knowledge on genetic potential of cows and the milk yield, feeding and lameness in animals is also included in the review. Feeding of concentrates as per milk yield of a cow or feeding of fixed amount (Flat rate) of concentrates to each cow had little or no effect on the milk yield and the milk composition. The fixed quantity of concentrates fed at high/low stepped rates or the nate the rate of concentrate feeding did not alter the milk yield and the milk composition significantly. Complete diets generally increased the Intake of feed and the milk fat contents as compared to separate feeding of concentrates and forages. High genetic potential cows have higher feed intakes and produced more milk than medium and low genetic potential animals. The higher ratio of concentrate to forage increases incidence of lameness in dairy animals.

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