Abstract

Comparisons have been made between concentrate based total mixed rations (TMR) and grass dominant pasture for dairy production. Limitations to further improvement in cow performance have been indicated by the very high reticulo-rumen fill in New Zealand cows fed pasture, exceeding 22% of live weight, relative to United States cows fed either TMR or forage diets. The importance of high concentrations of structural fibre in ryegrass dry matter, moisture content of fresh forages and the very rapid eating associated with high utilization of pasture on New Zealand dairy farms will limit increases in feed intake and cow performance. Responses to ryegrass supplementation with high quality forages have been summarised together with suggestions for future research and farming systems to improve performance and profitability of cows fed forage diets.

GC, Waghorn

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 62, Palmerston North, 261-266, 2002