An evaluation of over-wintering feeding strategies prior to finishing at pasture for cull dairy cows on live animal performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics.

Abstract Fifty-six spring calving Holstein–Friesian dairy cows (body weight = 607 kg and body condition score = 2.75), destined for culling, were randomly assigned to one of four experimental treatments. Cows were confirmed non-pregnant by rectal palpation. The experiment was split into two periods: over-wintering period (OWP) and spring finishing period (SFP). Animals were assigned to one of four treatments: a control group (C) was slaughtered after am milking on day 0; three dietary treatments, two of which were dried pre-experiment; ad libitum grass silage (GS + G); 75% grass silage and 25% straw (GS + S); and one with the extended lactation concept applied, cows were offered grass silage plus 6 kg concentrate DM/cow/day and milked twice daily (EXTLAC). EXTLAC cows were dried-off 1 week prior to turnout. The OWP lasted 84 days. Subsequent to the OWP cows were turned out to pasture (SFP). All cows were finished to a pre-defined carcass specification; >272 kg cold carcass weight, P + carcass conformation class and 3 carcass fat class. Over the entire experimental period, average daily gain (ADG) was lower ( P P