This study was done to examine the effects of supplementing electrolytes to heat stressed transitioning cows on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield (MY), and blood metabolites. Overall, 104 Holstein and Jersey cows were utilized from August to September, 2012, and from August to November, 2013. Control (CON) cows were fed standard TMR and E+ cows received the same TMR plus 170 g of Bovine BlueLite. The DMI, MY and composition, rectal temperature, and respiration rate were monitored daily; while blood metabolites, body weight, condition score and frame size (withers height, hip height, and heart girth) were measured weekly. The DMI, MY and composition were not different among treatments. Health condition, body change, and blood chemistry were not affected by treatment. Electrolyte supplementation did not have any negative effects on performance of dry and lactating cows, but showed positive potential for alleviation of heat stress in the present study.

A RCBD study with 19 first lactation Holsteins was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing 10% of concentrate with alfalfa baleage on lactation performance. Intake of DM was greater (P=0.02) for low forage (21.92 kg/d) than high forage diet (21.18 kg/d). Digestibility of DM was similar (P=0.4) between high (39.65%) and low forage diet (41.64%). Yield of 4% FCM was similar by diet but greater (P=0.01) for less than or equal to 251 d (29.36 kg/d) than greater than 251 d DIM cows (28.47 kg/d). Feed efficiency tended to be greater (1.42 versus 1.35; P=0.056) for high forage diet but was greater (1.44 versus 1.35; P=0.003) for cows less than or equal to 251 d DIM. Fat and lactose contents were similar by diet while protein tended to be greater (P=0.07) for low forage diet and SNF (8.93% versus 9.06%; P=0.04) was greater for low forage diet.

This study was conducted to measure the intake; nutritive value and digestibility of peanut hay (Arachis hypogaea L.). Fourteen Holstein heifers (BW= 408 plus/minus 32 kg; Age = 15.4 months plus/minus 0.5) were randomly allocated to two diets: peanut hay (PH) and corn silage (CS) adlibtum for 26 days. The PH consisted of 66:34 forage: concentrate (F:C) and CS diet contained 57:43 F:C ratio. Peanut hay at 91.8% DM contained 8% CP, 64% NDF, 51.9% ADF and 8 % ash. DMI and CP was not different across the treatment diets (P>0.05). NDF and ADF intake was different between the diets with PH being greater (P<0.01). Feed Efficiency using the feed to gain ratio was different across the diets (P<0.0001). Dry matter digestibility was 75.37% for CS diet and 68.53% for PH diet. Peanut hay basal diets formulated to contain low F:C ratio can increase growth in dairy heifers.

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Two lactation trials were used to investigate corn grazing as a management tool for dairies. Control (n = 18) cows, housed in free-stall barns were allowed ad libitum access to TMR while Grazing (n = 18 to 36) cows were limited TMR down to 70% of that in Controls and allowed 24-h access to corn plots. By wk 3, Grazing cows consumed 7.9 +/- 1.5 kg/hd/d of standing corn. By wk 7, the crop had matured and Grazing cows consumed 11.42 kg/hd/d of corn grain. Intake of TMR by Controls was 20.07 +/- 0.46 kg DM/hd/d, 19.78% greater than Grazing groups. Corn grazing had no impact on body weight, condition score, or ruminal pH, but significantly increased milk production in the Grazing group. Corn grazing reduced the need for purchased commodities, while improving milk production and performance. The value of saved commodities and increased milk production was $0.71 per cow/d.

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