Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences : barley-fodder rape silage

Abstract

Barley-fodder rape silage harvested at the yellow ripeness stage of barley, grass silage and a combination of both silages were compared for intake and production response in three experiments. A total of 66 dairy cows in mid lactation were used in the experiments. Both silages were well preserved. The mean organic matter digestibility rates for the barley-fodder rape and grass silage were 64.4 and 72.0%, respectively. Net energy concentrations in the two silages averaged 0.682 and 0.774 feed units (kg dry matter)-1, respectively. For cows fed barley-rape, grass, or a mixture of both silages, dry matter (DM) intakes were 9.4, 9.4 and 9.6 kg d1 while net energy intakes were 6.4, 7.3 and 7.1 feed units d1, respectively. In two of the three experiments the yield of fatcorrected milk was significantly (P<0.05) lower for cows fed only barleyfodder rape silage in comparison with the other groups, on average 18.9, 19.4, and 19.5 kg d1. It is concluded that barley-fodder rape silage can be used successfully as the sole forage component in rations for dairy cows.