Evaluation of the protein characteristics of four diverse grasses

Forage protein characteristics in four grasses were evaluated by the nylon bag method. All of the forages used (Bermudagrass hay, brome hay, forage sorghum hay, and prairie hay) were of relatively low quality, except the Bermudagrass, which was of average quality. The forages differed in the size of different protein fractions and in the rate and extent of protein degradation. Predicted extent of ruminal protein degradation (i.e., ruminal protein availability) was lowest for prairie hay, intermediate for Bermudagrass and forage sorghum hay, and highest for the brome hay

Effects of supplemental degradable intake protein on intake and digestibility of low-quality brome hay

The effects of increasing levels of degradable intake and digestion of low-quality brome hay were evaluated using 16 ruminally fistulated beef steers. Trends were evident for small, positive changes in total intake and digestion with increasing level of DIP supplementation. As a result, total digestible to feeding forage to provide .041, .082, and OM intake (TDOMI) increased with DIP supplementation but tended to plateau below the highest supplementation level

Impacts of wheat milling by-products in supplements on the intake and digestion of steers consuming low-quality forage

Sixteen ruminally fistulated steers were used to evaluate the effects of feeding supplements containing combinations of two wheat-milling by-products on forage intake, digestibility, and ruminal characteristics. The by-products accounted for 47 to 49% of each supplement and were as follows: 1) 100% wheat bran; 2) 67% wheat bran, 33% second clears; and 3) 33% wheat bran, 67% second clears. All supplements contained about 30% CP. Compared with unsupplemented controls, forage intake and digestibility were significantly higher for supplemented steers. However, no differences occurred among by-product treatments. In conclusion, if the protein content is adequate, the choice of bran (high digestible fiber) vs. second clears (high starch) has little impact on forage use

Wheat bran and second clears as supplemental energy sources for beef cows grazing winter pasture

Ninety spring-calving Hereford × Angus cows grazing low-quality, tallgrass-prairie forage during the winter were fed 5 lb/day of a supplement containing combinations of wheat bran (high in digestible fiber) and second clears (high in starch). The by-product combinations accounted for 47 to 49% of each supplement, as follows: 1) 100% wheat bran; 2) 67% wheat bran, 33% second clears; and 3) 33% wheat bran, 67% second clears. Cow performance was measured by changes in body weight and body condition score. The combinations of wheat bran and second clears had no significant effects on cow performance, calf birth weights, calf performance, or cow pregnancy rates

Effects of various carbohydrate sources on the utilization of low-quality tallgrass-prairie hay in continuous culture

We evaluated the effects of supplemental carbohydrate sources on the utilization of low- quality forage in continuous “artificial rumen” culture. Providing readily digestible carbohydrates (starch, glucose, and fiber) did not improve total diet digestion. In fact, starch and glucose depressed fiber digestion. Response to other simple sugars was variable

Effects of increasing amounts of supplemental soybean meal on intake and digestibility of tallgrass-prairie hay

Twenty ruminally fistulated beef steers free-choice access to prairie hay were used to evaluate the effect of increasing level of soybean meal (SBM) on forage intake and digestion. Forage intake, total organic matter intake, and organic matter digestion were enhanced with increasing level of SBM supplementation, although forage intake and digestion appeared to plateau at higher levels. The concomitant rises in intake and digestion as supplemental SBM increased resulted in an increase in total digestible organic matter intake, with the largest response to the initial increment of supplement

Impact of increasing amounts of supplemental high-protein soybean meal on performance of range beef cows

One hundred and twenty spring-calving Hereford × Angus cows grazing low-quality, tallgrass-prairie forage were fed 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, or 6.0 lb soybean meal (SBM) per head daily. SBM as a source of supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP) can be effective in maintaining cow body weight and body condition during the winter grazing season. Performance as measured by changes in body weight and condition score was maximized when cows received approximately 3.5 to 3.8 lb/day. Below this level, cows lost about 48 lb (about .4 units of BCS) for every 1 lb decrease in the amount of supplemental SBM. The effect of amount of supplemental SBM on calf performance was minimal

Synchronizing estrus in replacement beef heifers using select synch, MGA, AND PGF2

The Select Synch protocol (GnRH at day - 7, PGF2 at day 0, AI at detected heat) was compared to protocols using either MGA + prostaglandin (Colorado system) or two injections of prostaglandin to synchronize estrus in replacement heifers at three locations. Percentage of heifers detected in heat before, during, or after the target breeding week was not different among treatments but varied in percentages among locations. Overall conception rates ranged from 64 to 69%. Pregnancy rates varied from 46 to 56% and tended to be greatest in the MGA + PGF2" treatment. Costs of these treatments ranged from $3.50 to$8 and were lowest for the MGA + PGF2 protocol

Effects of supplemental degradable intake protein on intake and digestibility of bermuda hay

A study with 16 ruminally fistulated beef steers fed Bermuda hay ad libitum showed that the intake and digestibility of hay was not influenced by increasing levels of supplemental degradable intake protein (DIP). However, the hay used in this study was of medium quality; lower quality Bermuda hay with lower CP may respond to supplemental DIP