Abstract
One hundred and twenty spring-calving Hereford x 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.
Highlights
Protein supplementation to beef cattle grazing low-quality, tallgrass-prairie forage has been a long-standing practice
We classify the protein that is degraded by microbes in the rumen as degradable intake protein (DIP) and the protein that escapes ruminal degradation and passes through the rumen to the small intestine without being altered as undegradable intake protein (UIP)
Feeding soybean meal (SBM) above these levels yielded no further reduction in body weight (BW) or body condition score (BCS) loss
Summary
Protein supplementation to beef cattle grazing low-quality, tallgrass-prairie forage has been a long-standing practice. In recent years, the mechanisms by which that protein is utilized have become more clear. We classify the protein that is degraded by microbes in the rumen as degradable intake protein (DIP) and the protein that escapes ruminal degradation and passes through the rumen to the small intestine without being altered as undegradable intake protein (UIP). Research at Kansas State University demonstrates that DIP is the first-limiting nutrient for optimal intake and utilization of low-quality forage. That research was conducted by supplementing DIP in a purified form (sodium caseinate). Applying that research under production conditions requires identification of potential protein supplements that are high in DIP. Soybean meal (SBM), in which 66% of the protein is DIP, is a good candidate
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