Pelleted Coastal Bermudagrass, Pelleted Whole Stalk Corn, and Ground Whole Stalk Corn with High and Low Concentrates for Lactating Dairy Cows 1

Following field drying, mature whole‐plant corn containing 32% grain on a dry matter basis was harvested and ground through a hammer mill. A portion was pelleted using 3% molasses as a binder. Because ground unpelleted material was extremely dusty, it was mixed with 20% molasses. Coastal bermudagrass was harvested at 3 weeks of age, dehydrated, and pelleted. In a continuous‐type experiment with 2 replications and 36 cows, the forages were each fed with a high and a low concentrate level for 8 weeks. The concentrates were fed at grain to FCM ratio of 1:5 and 1:2.5. Protein contents of the concentrates were adjusted to equalize intakes and to meet the requirements of the cows. Each cow received 3 pounds of long hay daily. Cows fed ground corn, corn pellets, and coastal pellets produced 29.7, 28.5, and 29.4 pounds of milk per day, respectively. Forage dry matter consumption was 31.2, 28.2, and 32.9 pounds per cow per day for the three forages. Milk composition percentages were: fat, 3.93, 3.62, and 3.80; protein, 3.66, 3.52, and 3.69; and SNF, 8.97, 8.85, and 8.93. Only the differences in fat and protein were significant. Cows fed the high level of concentrates consumed 3.3 pounds less forage dry matter but ate 2.1 pounds more total dry matter. Milk production was 1.0 pound higher for those fed the high level of concentrates but milk composition was not affected. It was concluded that each of the forages was a satisfactory feed and that they were essentially equal.