Some effects of feeding pasture silage as a supplement to pasture on reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows

Authors: Macmillan KL, McDougall S, Clark DA, Williamson NB
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 43, Issue 1, pp 4-9, Feb 1995
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Diet/rations/food, Nutrition/metabolism, Lactation, Milk, Mammary gland/udder, Pasture/crop, Reproduction, Reproduction - female
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Supplementation of a ryegrass/white clover pasture diet with pasture silage is a common management practice in New Zealand dairy herds. The effect of this supplementation on reproductive performance has not been investigated. Five herds of 20 cows were formed before calving commenced on 1 June 1992. From 5 August to 4 September, two of these herds were fed 5 kg/cow/day of pasture silage in addition to the ryegrass/white clover pasture offered to all herds. Pasture silage supplementation did not alter the intervals from calving to first ovulation, first oestrus, or to conception. However, it reduced the first service conception rate (37.5 % v. 53.3 %; difference ± sed = 15.8 ± 10.0 %, for pasture and silage and pasture only cows, respectively). A positive effect on reproductive performance of pasture silage supplementation was not demonstrated in this trial.

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