SHORT COMMUNICATION: Effects of feeding Falcon or Tyto whole plant barley silage on milk production and feed efficiency Effects of feeding Falcon or Tyto whole plant barley silage on milk production and feed efficiency

Eight lactating dairy cows were fed diets containing either Falcon or Tyto whole-plant barley silage (Hordeum vulgare; WPBS) in a crossover design to study effects on milk production and feed efficiency. The in vitro fibre digestibility (IVFD) of Falcon and Tyto WPBS was 61.6 and 57.2%, respectively. Cows consuming the Falcon WPBS utilized feed more efficiently compared with those consuming the Tyto WPBS (1.44 vs. 1.32 kg milk kg(-1) dry matter intake) although milk yield was not affected. This research demonstrates that IVFD may be an important quality indicator of WPBS when balancing diets for high producing lactating cows.