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Protein supplementation of calves and cows grazing sandhills range and subirrigated meadow
Abstract
Limited information is available on seasonal changes in diet quality components for Nebraska Sandhills forages. Diet samples were analyzed for crude, degradable, and escape protein, digestibility, as well as fiber components to estimate seasonal changes in forage quality of native Sandhills range and subirrigated meadow. The 1996 NRC Beef Cattle Nutrient Requirements Model was used to predict nutrient deficiencies in grazed diets for various classes of cattle. Grazing trials were conducted to (1) determine the effect of weaning and supplementation with escape protein of performance on spring born calves grazing subirrigated meadow, and (2) to determine the first limiting nutrient for summer calving cows grazing native range during the breeding season and late lactation. Diet samples were highest in crude protein, degradable, escape protein, and digestibility during periods of active growth. Degradable intake protein was deficient when cows grazed dormant fall and winter forage. Metabolizable protein was deficient when lactating cows consumed dormant fall and winter forage or meadow hay. Weaned and nursing calves were supplemented with escape protein while grazing subirrigated meadow regrowth in Trial 1. The objective was to determine the effects of milk intake and supplemental escape protein on calf performance and forage intake. Nursing calves gained more weight and consumed less forage than weaned calves. Supplementation with escape protein increased weight gains of weaned and nursing calves and had no effect on forage intake. Trials 2 and 3 were conducted to determine the first limiting nutrient for summer calving cows grazing native range during the breeding season and late lactation, respectively. Rumen degradable protein was first limiting for summer calving cows during the breeding season and late lactation. No differences in forage intake were detected. The NRC Model predicted deficiencies in degradable intake protein for summer calving cows grazing native range, which was confirmed in Trials 2 and 3. For nursing calves grazing high quality forage, milk does not supply adequate escape protein for maximal growth.
Subject Area
Livestock|Range management
Recommended Citation
Lardy, Gregory Peter, "Protein supplementation of calves and cows grazing sandhills range and subirrigated meadow" (1997). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9736940.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9736940