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Abstract

A novel method of formulating dairy cow rations based on regulation of the content of non-structural carbohydrates and neutral detergent fiber in the total daily ration, including both forage and grain portions, is disclosed. Feedstuffs analyzed to determine the percentages of non-structural carbohydrate and neutral detergent fiber contained thereby were fed in various proportions to test groups of cows under controlled conditions, and to commercial herds under actual field conditions to determine the effects, if any, on milk production by varying the proportion of the total daily ration constituted by non-structural carbohydrates. Also, the proportion of non-structural carbohydrates to neutral detergent fiber in the ration was calculated and compared with milk production levels. It was established that milk production was optimized when the total daily ration, including at least one grain and one forage, consists of between about 30% and 45% non-structural carbohydrates, depending upon forage type. Furthermore, it was found that the ratio of non-structural carbohydrates to neutral detergent fiber bears a quadratic relation to milk yield and that the optimal response is achieved by maintaining the ratio within a range of about 0.9 to 1.2, the preferred ratio being about 1.05 (i.e., 1 part non-structural carbohydrate to 1.05 parts neutral detergent fiber).

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First Claim