DCD2, DCD3 High Forage Early Lactation Diets
The following two 80 percent forage diets were used in a recent early lactation experiment. These diets were relatively high in CP, with approximately 18.5 percent of dry matter. The level of neutral detergent fiber in the diet was about 44 percent of dry matter. The DCD3 diet included some feedstuffs high in ruminally undegraded protein, such as escape or bypass protein. These diets supported lower milk production by does and doelings in the early lactation period compared with diets containing 60 percent concentrate and 40 percent forage (DCD4 and DCD5). The diets containing additional ruminally undegraded protein (DCD3 and DCD5) improved milk production only in the first few weeks of the early lactation period. Trace mineral and vitamin premixes are those used for CD2.
| Ingredient | DCD2 | DCD3 | |
| -----------% (dry matter basis)---------- | |||
| Cottonseed hulls | 20.00 | 20.00 | |
| Alfalfa hay | 60.00 | 60.00 | |
| Ground corn | 0.73 | 2.59 | |
| Soybean meal | 10.00 | 3.33 | |
| Blood meal | 0.00 | 1.40 | |
| Fish meal | 0.00 | 1.84 | |
| Feather meal | 0.00 | 1.42 | |
| Molasses | 3.00 | 3.00 | |
| Partially hydrogenated tallow | 3.00 | 3.00 | |
| Dicalcium phosphate | 1.46 | 1.31 | |
| Ammonium sulfate | 0.25 | 0.25 | |
| Vitamin premix | 0.50 | 0.50 | |
| Trace mineralized salt | 0.76 | 0.76 | |
| Magnesium oxide | 0.30 | 0.30 | |
Reference: Hart, S. P. and A. L. Goetsch. 2001. Goat Diet/Feeding Examples. Pages 64-85 in Proc. 16th Ann. Goat Field Day, Langston University, Langston, OK.
