Date of Award
8-1-2012
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Animal Science
First Advisor
AbuGhazaleh, Amer
Abstract
The effects of feeding Master Graze (MG) on dairy cows productivity and nutrient digestibility were evaluated in experiment 1. Sixteen cows were divided into 4 groups and fed treatment diets for 4 consecutive periods. Cows on the control diet were fed a diet with corn silage and alfalfa hay as forage source (1:1; DM basis). For treatment groups, the MG substituted the forage mix at 16, 33 and 50%. The feeding of MG at the three tested levels had no effects on feed intake, milk production or milk composition. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, NDF and CP were higher in cows fed the MG. In experiment 2, the effects of maturity and preservation method on MG nutrient composition and digestibility were evaluated. The MG was harvested at 3 maturity levels and then preserved using oven-dried, ensiled, or freeze dried. In general, the MG digestibility and nutritional quality was higher in the first cut and with the freeze dried preservation method.
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