|Reis, R - UNIV OF WISCONSIN-MADISON|
Submitted to: Reuniao Anual Da Sociedade Brasileira De Zootechnia Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: August 1, 1997
Publication Date: N/A
Technical Abstract: Milk production under confinement conditions with conserved forages is almost always more expensive than relying on grazing as a means to provide forage to lactating cows. Therefore, higher levels of milk production must be achieved under confinement to overcome the higher capital costs associated with forage harvest and storage. The most obvious way of achieving higher milk production is to improve the quality of forages fed. Under semi-tropical conditions, corn silage may be the most economical forage to grow. Warm season grasses, while possessing high yield potential, lack quality. Tropical legumes possess reasonable quality, but establishing high yielding stands is difficult. Dry matter losses associated with harvest and conservation of forages is normally lower for silage than hay. Therefore, ensiling is the preferred method of conservation. Another way to increase milk production under confinement feeding is to increase energy density in the diet. This can be accomplished through increased grain feeding or through processing (fine grinding, steam flaking) of supplemental grain. Sorghum or milo responds very well to steam flaking, and corn can benefit from either steam flaking or fine grinding but to a lesser extent than does milo.