Vilela et al., 1980. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 9 (2) 214-232

Four Holstein-Friesian X Brahman and 8 Holstein Friesian X Brahman X Swiss Brown cows rotationally grazing molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora) were given either no supplement, or soya bean oilmeal, maize grain with husks or soya bean oilmeal + maize grain with husks. The 3 supplements were estimated to be sufficient for daily production of 5.1, 4.1 and 4.8 kg 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM), respectively. Treatments were applied in a switchback design with 12 dietary combinations and periods of 4 weeks. Concentrate supplementation did not significantly affect daily forage DM intake, 14.8, 14.9, 12.1 and 12.9 kg. Daily FCM yield was significantly greater with soya bean than with maize supplement, 13.2 and 12.0 kg, but not significantly different from the control, 12.3 kg, or soya + maize, 13.1 kg. Intake of digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrients did not differ among treatments. Supplementation of molasses grass with concentrates was not economically justified under the conditions of the experiment.

ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:4 Holstein-Friesian X Brahman and 8 Holstein Friesian X Brahman X Swiss Brown cows rotationally grazing molasses grass were given either no supplement, or soyabean oilmeal, maize grain with hulls or soyabean oilmeal + maize grain with hulls. The 3 supplements were estimated to be sufficient for daily production of 5.1, 4.1 and 4.8 kg 4% FCM resp. Treatments were applied in a switchback design with 12 dietary combinations and 4 wk periods. Concentrate supplementation did not significantly affect daily forage DM intake 14.8, 14.9, 12.1 and 12.9 kg. Daily FCM yield was greater with soyabean than with maize supplement 13.2 vs. 12.0 kg (P < 0.05), but not significantly different from the control, 12.3 kg, or soyabean + maize, 13.1 kg. Intake of digestible crude protein and TDN did not differ among treatments. Concentrate supplementation of molasses grass was not economically justified under the conditions of the experiment.