An experiment was conducted with 48 dairy cows to compare the effects of sole grass silage (control) to partial replacements of grass silage with lucerne silage. Cows fed the lucerne silages had 15% higher dry matter intake and higher milk yields compared to the control diet. While lucerne silage had lower energy content than grass silage, replacing some grass with lucerne increased intake, milk yield, and energy balance. Partial replacement of grass with lucerne could maintain milk production while reducing protein supplementation needs. However, lucerne is not recommended as a sole replacement for grass silage if high forage yields are required.

1. Can Lucerne silage replace grass silage in Nordic
climate?
XVII International Silage Conference, Bonn 2018
Sairanen, A. and Palmio, A.
Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Maaninka, Halolantie 31 A, Finland
Materials and mehods
o The experiment was conducted using 48 dairy cows in a change-over
design with two periods
o The treatments were: Control (grass silage alone + rapeseed meal),
LucerneNormal (grass silage with lucerne + rapeseed meal) and
LucerneLow (grass silage with lucerne + low amount of rapeseed meal)
o The proportion of rapeseed meal in the concentrate was 20 % in
Control and LucerneNormal, and 15 % in LucerneLow
Results
o The lucerne mixture overwintered relatively well producing 4200
kgDM/ha.
o The ME content of lucerne was low (10.0 MJME/kgDM, CP 221 g/kgDM)
compared with grass (10.6 MJME/kgDM, CP 166 g/kgDM).
o The DM intake of Lucerne diets was 15 % higher compared to Control
o The milk yield was higher with Lucerne diets compared to Cotrol
Conclusions
Lucerne is not a recommendable alternative for grass if high forage yields
are needed. Partial replacement of grass with lucerne increased intake, milk
yield and energy balance, demonstrating the nutritional advantages of
lucerne compared with sole grass forage. Lucerne can partially replace the
protein supplementation with grass silage diets if the target is to maintain
milk production.
19.9
23.1 22.6
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
18.0
20.0
22.0
24.0
Control LucerneNormal LucerneLow
kg/day
Dry matter intake
29.3
31.3 30.5
32.5
34.9 33.8
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
Control LucerneNormal LucerneLow
kg/day Milk production
Milk
ECM
Introduction
Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is not a common species in northern climates because of its poor overwintering.
Recently introduced new varieties offer a possibility to use lucerne as an alternative silage raw material to grasses.
The first objective of the experiment was to determine the effects of replacing grass silage with lucerne silage on milk
production. The second objective was to study if the inclusion of lucerne can replace protein supplementation.