ChileanJAR

Two milk production systems were evaluated during three consecutive years,at the Quilarnapu Experimental Station (INlA). Both systems were based on 70% of the area with a white clover-perennial ryegrass pasture for direct grazing. In system A, the remaining 30% was used with red clover for hay; in B, 15% was used with subterranean clover for grazing, 10% with forage pumpkin (Cucurbíta pepo) and 5% with forage beet. In addition, milking cows received concentrate. Total milk productions were 55,128; 62,010; and 74,181 It/year for system A, and 51,818; 61,561; and 62,271 for system B. Milk production/ha, considering the area used by the replacements, was 2,901; 3,264; and 3,904 It/year, in system A, and 2,727; 3,240; and 3,277 It/year, in system B. The need of additional forage and cost of labor was higher for B than A, but this last system produced more milk, specially the last season. More details are presented on: structure of each system, composition and management of each herd, additional forages, chemical analysis, production per cow and per hectare, liveweight gains and meat production, etc. The economical analysis will be presented in Part II.