Effects of Fiber Source and Method of Feeding on Chewing Activities, Digestive Function, and Productivity of Dairy Cows

摘要: Abstract This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing a silage-based diet with hay on chewing, digestive function, and productivity dairy cattle. Eight multiparous rumen-cannulated Holstein cows were fed, in crossover design, three diets containing 60% high moisture shelled corn-based concentrate either: 1) 40% alfalfa silage (37% DM; 21% CP; 44% NDF); 2) 25% 15% long grass (16% 57% NDF) offered 1h before concentrates; or 3) blended chopped hay. Milk production (kg/d) increased from 17.3 for 1 18.9 18.3 2 3, respectively. No change milk fat composition resulted (mean, 3.62%). Rumination occurred proportion NDF intake 69.08 min/kg regardless diet; consequently, rumination 4.6 5.4 h/d when supplemented no effect method allocating Rumen parameters sacco total collection techniques indicated that supplemental mediated an improvement fiber digestion, allocation