Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences : substitution of dip-treated straw for grass silage in dairy cows

Abstract

In 1987 and 1988 twenty-four Norwegian milking cows were used in a study of the influence on milk production when the animals were fed grass silage and dip-treated straw supplemented with urea or with soybean meal. In 1987 the percentage of fat corrected milk (4%) was higher for the cows fed treated straw than it was for the cows fed grass silage. In 1988 there was no significant difference between the groups. The ruminal pH was higher when the animals were fed dip-treated straw in both years. The magnesium content in blood plasma was lower for cows fed treated straw than for those fed grass silage. There were no clinical problems among the animals connected with the experimental feeds in either year.