ChileanJAR

An experiment was conducled during the winter of 1989 at the "Eduviges" farm, Futrono, X Region. Medium quality grass and maize silage ensiled separately, were offered ad Iibitum to 120 Friesian cows in tour mixtures with maize silage includad at 0,30,60 or 100% of the forage on a dry matter basis.
The same total protein level was provided in all ration by including increasing levels of rapeseed meal. The total daily concentrate allowance including rapeseed meal was 5 kg D.M., 1.6 kg D.M. forage col was also given.
Silage intake was higher fer mixtures containing a higher proportion of maize, Also, milk produetion increased (18.5, 18.8, 19.9 and 20.3 L/day, R² = 0.94) whereas no changes in Ilv.. weight or milk fat % (3.50, 3,62, 3.65 and 3.66) were observed.
No health problems were detected even at the highest silage maize intake but from an economical veiwpoint, the 60% corn silage inclusion representad the mest convenient ratio.