Comparison of Complete Feed Rations to a Conventional Ration for Lactating Cows

Abstract

Abstract Sixteen high-producing Holstein cows were used in a 110-day continuous trial to compare the effect of feeding three complete feeds containing different sources of roughage (alfalfa, cottonseed hulls or native grass hay) with a conventional system of feeding roughage and concentrate separately on intake of feed, total digestible nutrients and digestible energy, milk yield and composition, gross feed conversions, body weight changes, digestibility of the rations and health of the animals. All rations contained 30% roughage and 70% concentrate, and were fed ad libitum. The cows receiving the cottonseed hulls ration consumed significantly (P