Comparative Value of Mixed Hay and Corn Silage for Wintering Beef Cows

A series of 4 trials have been conducted with dry, mature beef cows to study the relative feeding value of U. S. No. a mixed legume and timothy hay (30 to 50 percent legume) with corn silage fair to good in grain content and harvested in the dough stage. In these trials 2.4 lbs. of the corn silage were equal in feeding value to 1.0 lb. of the mixed hay or the corn silage was worth 42 percent as much on a weight basis as the mixed hay when sufficient protein was furnished in the ration. Cows in good condition at the start maintained this condition throughout the trial when fed daily either 1.85 lbs. mixed hay per 100 lbs. live weight, or 0.92 lb. mixed hay and 2.21 lbs. corn silage per 100 lbs. live weight. There was no significant difference in the birth weights of calves between lots.