Wheat silage inclusion levels as a substitute for corn silage in diets of lactating Holstein × Gyr crossbred cows

Tropical wheat cultivars can serve as an alternative to corn silage as a second-crop forage in the Cerrado region. This study aimed to evaluate the intake, digestibility, milk performance, and feeding behavior of crossbred Holstein × Gyr dairy cows fed diets containing increasing levels of wheat silage as a replacement for corn silage. Twelve cows with 518 kg body weight and 10.89 kg/day of milk production were used. The animals were distributed in three 4 × 4 Latin squares, balanced according to lactation stage. Treatments consisted of four levels of wheat silage replacing corn silage on a dry matter (DM) basis: 0%, 33%, 67%, and 100%. Intakes of DM, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber were higher (P < 0.05) in cows fed diets containing 0% and 33% wheat silage. Cows fed 0% wheat silage had higher acid detergent fiber intake than cows fed wheat silage (P < 0.05). DM digestibility, nutrient digestibility, milk production, and feed efficiency did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. The diet with 100% wheat silage inclusion resulted in higher concentrations of milk urea nitrogen (P < 0.05). Feeding behavior was not affected (P > 0.05) by wheat silage inclusion levels. Wheat silage can replace or partially replace corn silage in diets for crossbred dairy cows without compromising milk production or composition.