Feed Lot Magazine Online, Supplementing Mature Fall Pastures

Protein is Essential

The energy and protein are low in mature grasses. In addition the digestibility of the protein is reduced even more than the energy. In some cases the protein may become nearly indigestible. Feeding protein supplement is needed to get the energy out of mature forages. This is particularly important for yearling cattle held on fall range before shipping to the finishing yards. Also calves nursing cows that have reduced milk production will benefit from a high protein creep feed. Young cows nursing their first calf is an area of supplementation that may be overlooked. Mature thin cows need protein to go along with the mature forage.

"Fertilizing" the Rumen Bugs

The reason for protein supplementation is the rumen microbes need a source of ammonia nitrogen. This can be from either natural protein or a non-protein-nitrogen such as urea or ammonium compounds. The rumen bacteria use the ammonia to "fertilize" the bugs, which stimulate the number of bacteria. These bacteria grow in colonies on the forage. The bacteria then turn the fiber and starch of the plant into acids that are absorbed for the animal's energy. The rumen microbes are then digested in the lower tract of the gut. The protein in mature grasses may be only 20 percent digestible but the protein from the microbes is 75 to 80 percent utilizable.

Some mature grasses are very poor. When these mature forages are supplemented with protein, cattle may maintain weight or possibly gain weight. In fact, protein supplementation encourages cattle to eat more. One cattleman said, "When I cake my cattle, they will eat the bark off the fence posts."

A Variety of Protein Products are Available

Protein supplements from all natural sources have been the proven successful method of supplementing mature pastures. They are manufactured from high protein products like cottonseed meal, soybean meal, linseed meal, canola meal, sunflower meal and peanut meal. Medium protein meals include many products such as brewer's grains and distillers grains. Hydrolyzed feather meal (80 to 90 percent protein) is also used successfully as a high protein product for winter-feeding. Feather meal is not as palatable as oil seed products. Meat meal from hogs and poultry is an excellent source of protein, but meat meal from cattle and sheep is not approved for ruminants.

The Feed Industry Provides Valuable Products

The feed manufacturing industry provides a valuable service by supplying protein-blended supplement for feeding on grass. The supplements often contain protein and other critical nutrients like phosphorus, carotene or vitamin A, and trace minerals and additives. Commercial supplements also may contain grains or medium protein grain co-products like wheat millrun (commonly called "wheat mids"). These range and pasture products are often more readily available from a feed outlet than high protein supplements.

Two Pounds of a 20 vs. One Pound of a 40

We suggest when supplementing fall pasture one pound of a 40 percent supplement or the equivalent amount of protein be fed. We also approve of feeding 1.5 to 2 pounds per day of a 30 percent protein program.

However, many times a feeding rate of 2 pounds per day of a 20 percent to 30 percent protein cube is superior to a feeding rate of one pound of a high protein cube such as cottonseed meal. The reason is the extra volume gives the less timid animal a better chance to get their share. The extra feed results in more energy and may take some pressure off the pasture. Many years ago, a successful cattleman at Wray, Colorado, said, "When we feed 3 pounds of the supplement, the cattle do better and there is some grass left in the spring." In this case the rancher was feeding weaned heifers and bulls.

Feeding Every Day Preferred

Every other day feeding is acceptable, but the preferred method is feeding every day to give a consistent supply of ammonia to the bugs. Skipping one day a week is acceptable. Consider skipping Sunday.

Cube, Blocks, Tubs or Liquids

Protein is critical, however it does not make any difference how it is offered to the cattle. Cost per day is certainly an important criteria in selecting a product and method of feeding. However the convenience of blocks, tubs or a liquid supplement may overcome the economic advantages of traditional caking methods. Supplement mixed with salt and self-fed is also recommended.

Rumensin, Bovatec or Tetracycline

There are four additives that we recommend at this time. They are the ionophores Rumensin and Bovatec and the Tetracycline's OTC and CTC (Terramycin and Aureomycin). Caution: Rumensin cannot be used if horses may eat pasture supplement. Bovatec is also toxic to horses but not quite as much as Rumensin. These ionophores help the pasture program by giving more energy and also appear to help the protein digestion and utilization. Tetracycline is suggested if protection from respiratory diseased or footrot is needed.