Effects of moisture content of complete diets on feed intake and milk production by cows

In two trials, 47 and 54 Holstein cows were fed diets containing ensiled forages, ensiled and dry forages, or diets of different moisture contents. In trial 1, diets were fed during a preliminary dry period, early lactation, late lactation, a second dry period, and a second early lactation. In trial 2, four diets identical except for moisture content (78, 64, 52, and 40% dry matter) were fed for the first 200 days of lactation. Substitution of dry hay for alfalfa silage increased dry matter intake during the first early lactation, whereas partial substitution of corn silage with straw did not affect intake during dry periods. Dry matter intake increased linearly as dry matter content of diet increased in trial 2. Neither milk production nor body weight were affected by treatment in either trial. Percentage total solids increased linearly as dry matter content of diet decreased in trial 2. Volatile fatty acids differed slightly, but no trends were consistent. No differences of daily chewing time were observed. From these trials, diets of less than 60 to 65% dry matter may reduce intake by lactating dairy cows.