Comparison of lactational and metabolic responses of postpartum dairy heifers and cows fed diets supplemented with corn, calcium stearate and tallow

Abstract

Twenty first-calf heifers and 24 cows in their second or greater lactation were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments from day 15 to day 61 postpartum. Mixed diets consisted of corn silage, alfalfa haylage, orchard grass hay, and a pelleted concentrate. Concentrates were control (C), C + additional corn (H), C + 4% calcium stearate (S), or C + 4% tallow (T). C, S, and T contained 50:50 forage and concentrate dry matter and H contained 40:60.