Utilization of alternative crops may compensate the low water‑use efficiency and low winter production of irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The objective was to determine the effect of rations containing annual forages on dry matter voluntary intake and milk production of dairy cattle in the arid region of Mexico.
The experiments included were conducted between 1985 and 1995. Corn (Zea mays L.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), sorghum x sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench. x Sorghum sudanense L.), and berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) were separately compared to alfalfa in four in vivo digestibility trials with ovines. In a fifth similar trial, digestibility of annual ryegrass and berseem clover were compared. Three different proportions of corn:alfalfa; three of corn:alfalfa:sorghumsudangrass; three of clover:alfalfa; and ryegrass:alfalfa versus clover:alfalfa; were separately studied in four intake and milk production experiments with Holstein bovines.
A proportion of 70% or more of corn and the combination of corn and sorghum X sudangrass, given their low digestibility, decreased (P<0.05) milk production. Only corn decreased (P<0.05) dry matter voluntary intake. The high digestibility and high matter voluntary intake of both berseem clover and annual ryegrass resulted in milk production levels similar to alfalfa (P>0.05). Both berseem clover and annual ryegrass solved the problem of low availability of quality forage during the winter to maintain adequate levels of dairy bovine production in the region.