Whole - crop cereal silage evaluation with M.R.Y. dairy cows

Abstract

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the productive response of lactating dairy cows fed three different whole crop cereal silages. Eighteen dual purpose Meusse Rhinne Yssel (M.R.Y) dairy cows were allocated to a change over experimental design with three treatments: (A) oat whole crop silage; (B) barley whole crop silage; and (C) wheat whole crop silage. Cows were housed in different groups, fed the respective silage ad lib, plus 3.0 kg of a concentrate supplement. During recording weeks, milk yields were recorded daily and a sample of milk from each animal was taken and analysed for it´s nutritional composition. Voluntary intake per group was recorded. The chemical composition of the silage was evaluated. 
The B treatment presented a higher energy and protein content than A and C. Silage fermentation characteristics were acceptable across treatments. 
Voluntary intake was higher (P ≤ 0,05) for treatments B and C compared to treatment A. Milk production was higher (P ≤ 0,05) for treatment B, with milk composition being similar between treatments, except for the protein content which was lower (P ≤0,05) for animals eating silage A. Silage B showed a better animal performance than A or C silages, being a better alternative for milk production. 
However, it is necessary to consider the nutritional deficiencies that this kind of silage presents in order to maximise the cow’s productive response.