RECONSTITUTED SORGHUM GRAIN FOR LACTATING DAIRY-COWS

Rations containing finely ground air-dry and reconstituted (70% dry matter) sorghum grain were compared in a switchback trial with 21 lactating dairy cows. Feed consumption was ad libitum with the restriction that grain concentrates comprise no more than 60% of the total intake of dry matter. Reconstituted grain was consumed more readily than ground grain, resulting in a higher percentage of concentrates in rations of cows fed reconstituted grain than of control cows (55.8 versus 52.8%). Milk yield and composition were similar for cows on the two treatments. Apparent digestibility of ration components and gross efficiency of feed utilization were not affected by method of grain processing. Reconstituted sorghum grain and finely ground grain on a dry basis were equal in feeding value for high producing dairy cows. © 1979, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.