Alfalfa baleage as a concentrate replacer in dairy rations: Effects on dry matter and nutrient intake, dry matter digestibility and lactation performance of mid to late lactation Holstein cows

A RCBD study with 19 first lactation Holsteins was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing 10% of concentrate with alfalfa baleage on lactation performance. Intake of DM was greater (P=0.02) for low forage (21.92 kg/d) than high forage diet (21.18 kg/d). Digestibility of MD was similar (P=0.4) between high (39.65%) and low forage diet (41.64%). Yield of 4% FCM was similar by diet but greater (P=0.01) for .251 d (29.36 kg/d) than <251 d DIM cows (28.47 kg/d). Feed efficiency tended to be greater (1.42 versus 1.35; P=0.056) for high forage diet but was greater (1.44 versus 1.35; P=0.003) for cows .251 d DIM. Fat and lactose content were similar by diet while protein tended to be greater (P=0.07) for low forage diet while SNF (8.93% versus 9.06%; P=0.04) was greater for low forage diet. Study concluded that alfalfa baleage may replace concentrates at 10% in lactating cow&...