Escape Protein Supplementation and Weaning Effects on Calves Grazing Meadow Regrowth

Authors

Greg Lardy, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Don C. Adams, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
June Ueckert, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Richard T. Clark, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

January 1998

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 1998, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

Forty spring-born calves grazing subirrigated meadow regrowth were assigned to two weaning and two supplementation treatments in the fall of 1995 and 1996. Weaning treatments were: 1) weaning September 1; or 2) nursing during the trial. Supplementation treatments were 1) no supplemental undegraded intake protein (escape protein); or 2) supplemental undegraded intake protein. No treatment interactions were detected indicating weaning and supplementation affects were independent. Nursing calves had higher weight gains (2.1 versus 1.3 lb/day) and lower forage intakes (5.2 versus 6.5 lb/day) than weaned calves. Supplemental undegraded intake protein increased weight gains of calves (1.94 versus 1.45 lb/day). We concluded subirrigated meadow forage was limiting in metabolizable protein and milk was an important source of metabolizable protein.