Mixed small grain cereal silages in the feeding of dairy cows in small scale dairy systems

Background: In small-scale dairy systems (SPLPE), multi-species pastures and small grain cereal silages have proven to be an option in the face of potential climate change effects and provide quality forage at low costs in periods of forage shortages. Objective: To evaluate the inclusion of a binary silage of barley and rye, compared to a ternary silage of barley, rye and triticale, in the feeding of dairy cows in small-scale dairy systems, in terms of productive and economic performance. Methodology: In the central Highlands of Mexico and with the participation of a small-scale dairy farmer, the inclusion of these silages in the feed of 6 dairy cows was evaluated under a cross-over design. The treatments included 40% silage (T1, binary; T2, ternary), 36% of conventional feeds (cut pasture, maize straw and alfalfa hay) offered by the participating farmer, and 24% of commercial compound concentrate. The variables evaluated were diet composition, feed intake, yield and milk composition, and an economic analysis made considering feed costs. Results: The neutral detergent fiber content was 4.8% lower in T2 (p<0.05), a treatment that also presented a 3% higher digestibility and a higher metabolizable energy and crude protein content (p<0.05). This was due to the incorporation of the ternary silage, a higher quality silage compared to the binary silage. Energy corrected milk production was higher in T2 (p=0.05), in response to the higher intake and higher digestibility of this treatment. Feeding costs were similar for the inclusion of the two silages and the implementation of the ternary treatment represented an increase of 0.8% in margins over feed costs with compared to the use of the binary silage. Implications. The use of small grain cereal mixtures silages are feasible in small-scale dairy systems to ensure a constant supply of medium quality forage, which together with moderate supplementation can generate high yields and economic income. Conclusions: The inclusion of ternary silage of small grain cereals of barley, rye and triticale, and moderate supplementation with commercial concentrate (24%) and other conventional feeds (36%), is a viable alternative as a feeding strategy in small-scale dairy systems during the dry season maintaining high milk yields and a high profit margin for these systems.