Feeding protein

[denoginnizer]

How do you decide when to feed protein?

 

[novaman]

Supplementing protein depends on what type of animal we are talking about. Young growing bulls need higher levels of protein then do mature cows. Once you've determined how much protein is required you have to look at protein content of the grains and hays the animal is receiving and go from there. Feeding more protein then the animal requires is not cost efficient so you don't want to just throw it out there.

 

[denoginnizer]

Supplementing protein depends on what type of animal we are talking about. Young growing bulls need higher levels of protein then do mature cows. Once you've determined how much protein is required you have to look at protein content of the grains and hays the animal is receiving and go from there. Feeding more protein then the animal requires is not cost efficient so you don't want to just throw it out there.

After the first frost?

 

[msscamp]

Supplementing protein depends on what type of animal we are talking about. Young growing bulls need higher levels of protein then do mature cows. Once you've determined how much protein is required you have to look at protein content of the grains and hays the animal is receiving and go from there. Feeding more protein then the animal requires is not cost efficient so you don't want to just throw it out there.

After the first frost?

I'm assuming you're talking about protein tubs or liquid protein supplements, if so you don't necessarily have to wait for the first frost to start putting them out or feeding it. For instance, if your grass is dried up, but still grazeable then protein tubs or liquid protein supplement will encourage your cattle to eat that grass while helping to ensure that they maintain condition. If you're having to feed straw because your pastures are toast and hay is scarce or unaffordable, protein will help them convert it into pounds and encourage them to eat it. If you're raising bottle calves, protein tubs or liquid supplement will help them put on pounds faster because it encourages them to eat roughage better than they probably would without it.

 

[MikeC]

How do you decide when to feed protein?

When the manure piles behind the cows get to the point of "Piling Up" instead of splattering/flattening when it hits the ground.

Protein aids in the digestion of fiber. When protein is lacking the fibers become slow and hard to digest and don't move through the cow fast enough to allow her to extract enough nutrients from it to meet her needs.

Moving these high fiber diets through the digestive tract faster allows her to eat more which in turn gives her intestines access to a higher volume of the necessary nutrients.

The digestion process uses tremendous amounts of energy when given poor grass or hay, leaving her sometimes full of food yet still not satisfied and needing more.

 

[RAWCJW]

Someone posted this site a while back I find it useful http://rangeweb.tamu.edu/extension/rang ... photog.pdf