Influence of supplemental protein versus energy level on intake, fill, passage, digestibility, and fermentation characteristics of beef steers consuming dormant bluestem range forage

Two trials were conducted to evaluate effects of protein versus energy level in milo/soybean meal supplements on intake and utilization of dormant, bluestem forage. Forage dry matter intake and utilization of dormant bluestem forage appears to increase at higher levels of supplemental protein. Increased supplemental energy may be associated with depressed intake and utilization, particularly when supplements are low in protein

Influence of supplemental protein versus energy level on intake, fill, passage, digestibility, and fermentation characteristics of beef steers consuming dormant bluestem range forage

Two trials were conducted to evaluate effects of protein versus energy level in milo/soybean meal supplements on intake and utilization of dormant, bluestem forage. Forage dry matter intake and utilization of dormant bluestem forage appears to increase at higher levels of supplemental protein. Increased supplemental energy may be associated with depressed intake and utilization, particularly when supplements are low in protein

Influence of supplemental protein concentration on the performance of beef cows grazing dormant bluestem range

Three milo/soybean meal mixtures representing three supplemental crude protein concentrations (13, 26, and 39%) were evaluated in terms of pregnant beef cow performance. Cow weight and body condition changes responded in a linear fashion to increasing protein. Cattle fed the high protein (39% Crude Protein) supplement lost the least weight and body condition, whereas cattle supplemented with the low protein treatment lost the most. Although there was little difference between treatment groups in terms of reproductive efficiency and subsequent calf performance, moderate (26% Crude Protein) and high protein supplements appear to offer the most benefit in maintaining cow\weight and body condition during the critical winter months up to calving

Beef Species Symposium: Potential limitations of NRC in predicting energetic requirements of beef females within western U.S. grazing systems

Assessment of beef cow energy balance and efficiency in grazing-extensive rangelands has occurred on a nominal basis over short time intervals and has not accounted for the complexity of metabolic and digestive responses; behavioral adaptations to climatic, terrain, and vegetation variables; and documentation of the effects of nutrient form and supply to grazing cattle. Previous research using pen-fed cows demonstrated differences (P \u3c 0.01) in efficiency of weight change ranging from 135 to 58 g/Mcal ME intake. Furthermore, variation in efficiency of ME use for tissue energy gain or loss ranged from 36% to 80%. In general, energy costs for maintenance, tissue accretion, and mobilization were greatest in Angus-based cows, intermediate in Brahmanand Hereford-based cows, and least in dairy-based cows. The most efficient cattle may reflect the types that are successful in semiarid grazing environments with low input management. Successful range cattle systems are likely the result of retention of animals that best adapted to the grazing environment and thus were potentially more efficient. Animals exposed to a variety of stressors may continually adapt, so energy expenditure is reduced and may tend to depart from the modeled beef cow in the 1996 NRC Beef Cattle Requirements. Critical factors comprising cow lifetime achievement, including reproductive success, disease resistance, and calf weaning weight, may be driven by cow total energy utilization in energy-limiting environments. Therefore, energy adjustments for adapted cattle within these landscapes and seasonal BW changes can alter seasonal NEm requirements. Evaluated studies indicate that in static grazing environments, NRC prediction fitness was improved compared with predictions from dynamic systems where cattle were influenced less by management and more by environmental conditions. Preliminary herd analyses cast doubt on the accuracy of NRC BCS descriptions representing NEm requirements of adapted females utilizing semiarid rangelands. Possible gaps are proposed that could be the basis for prediction inaccuracies. A more complete understanding of mechanisms contributing to productivity in the field than the current model predicts will improve future models to better simulate energetic accountability and subsequent female performance

Soybean meal+sorghum grain, alfalfa hay, and dehydrated alfalfa pellets as protein supplements for beef cows grazing dormant, tallgrass-prairie

Eighty-six pregnant. Hereford x Angus cows were randomly assigned to one of three winter supplement treatments: 1) soybean meal+sorghum grain, 2) alfalfa hay, or 3) dehydrated alfalfa pellets. Cows supplemented with dehydrated alfalfa pellets gained more (P<.05) weight during gestation and lost the least (P.10) were detected in cow body condition change. reproductive efficiency, or calf growth