Relationship between dry matter intake, milk performance and energy efficiency from dairy cows offered grass-only, grass-white clover and total mixed ration feeding systems

Dry matter (DM) intake (DMI) is one of the most limiting factors for milk production in pasture-based dairy production systems. The inclusion of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in grass swards can increase voluntary DMI through improved sward nutritive quality and lower resistance to breakdown in the rumen. Feeding a total mixed ration (TMR) can support greater milk production from increased daily DMI, and greater control of feed intake quality. The objective of this study was to determine th