The Value of Wheat Middlings in Winter Supplements for Beef Cows

Abstract

Eighty-four spring calving Hereford and Hereford x Angus cows in trial 1 and 96 in trial 2 were grazed on dormant native tallgrass pastures and were Individually fed supplements to evaluate the value of wheat middlings. In trial 1, wheat middlings (WM) were compared to soybean meal (SBM) and isonitrogenous cornlS8M mixtures (16% CP, CIS). Supplements were fed 6 dlwk from November 4 to April 21. Treatments were two levels of CP (.21 or .54kg) from SBM, WM, or CIS in a 2 by 3 factorial arrangement. Precalving and total winter cow weight changes were improved for WM and CIS compared to SBM when fed .54kg CP bUlt not the .21kg CP level. Precalving and winter cow weight and condition changes were similar for WM and CIS at both levels of CP. Pregnancy rates tended (P<.15) to be greater for WM and CIS at both levels of CPo Birth weights were greater (P<.05) for calves of cows fed supplements providing .54kg CP.Trial 2 was conducted to detlermine the amount of WM needed for cows to perform as well as when fed 1.36kg SBM. Cows were supplemented with 1.36kg SBM or 2.27,2.84, and 3.41kg of WM .daily to provide .55, .34, .44, and .55 k,g CP, respectively. Supplements were fed 6 dlwk from November 1 to April 18. Cow weight changes from November 1 to calving increased linearly (P<.01) With Increasing amounts of WM and were 20, 28, and 47kg for 2.27, 2.84, and 3.41kgld WM compared to SBM-fed cows that gained 35kg. Cow weight changes were similar from precalving to beginning of breeding. Pregnancy rates temded to be greater (P<.10) for cows fed WM than for cows fed an isonitrogenous amount of S8M. Calf birth weights increased linearly (P<.01) with increasing amounts of WM. Weaning weights of calves were similar for cows on all treatments. In conclusion, WIVI appear to be at least equal to isonitrogenous GIS blends as wint.er supplements to spring calving cows on lowqualIty forage. Linear increases in precalving. cow weight change with increasing levels of WM Indlcate that the protein andlor energy In WM IS well utilized.