lower percentage of degradable intake protein (DIP). .... forage would decrease as a result of the decreasing forage ..... $8/metric ton. All costs are given per ...
Comparison of Protein Sources forScientist Cows Grazing Winter Range The Professional Animal 17:139–144
139
Comparison of Alfalfa Hay and Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles, Alone or in Combination with Cull Beans, as Protein Sources for Beef Cows Grazing Native Winter Range C. D. SMITH*, J. C. WHITTIER*,1, PAS, D. N. SCHUTZ†, and D. COUCH† *Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 and †Colorado State University, Eastern Colorado Research Center, Akron, CO 80720
Abstract
ment gained BW during the trial, whereas cows fed the other three supplements lost BW. Cows in the Alfalfa group also lost less (P0.05) by treatment. Feeding cull Great Northern Beans to supply onehalf of the supplemental CP reduced feed costs with little effect on subsequent cow performance. In this study, DDG was a less desirable source of supplemental protein because of higher cost and a lower percentage of degradable intake protein (DIP).
A grazing study was conducted at the Eastern Colorado Research Center (ECRC) to evaluate the use of locally available protein sources as supplements for beef cows grazing native winter range. The four treatments were as follows: 1) alfalfa hay to supply 182 g/d CP (Alfalfa); 2) a mixture of alfalfa hay and cull Great Northern Beans to each supply 91 g/d CP (Alfalfa/Beans); 3) distillers dried grains to supply 182 g/d CP (DDG); and 4) a mixture of DDG and cull Great Northern Beans to each supply 91 g/d CP (DDG/Beans). Pregnant, multiparous, spring calving crossbred cows (n = 112; 566 ± 59 kg) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments within one of two replicates. (Key Words: Protein SupplementaSupplemental CP was increased to 273 g/ tion, Beef Cows, Phaseolus vulgaris, d ca. 60 d before calving. Cow BW Beans, Distillers, Dried Grains.) change was affected by treatment (P1 ng/mL in at least one sample indicated a functional feeding period (8.1 ± 8.3 kg), but all corpus luteum. other treatments resulted in a loss of cRate of conception to AI during a 30-d breeding season. BW. The DDG treatment resulted in dPregnancy rate as determined on September 15, ca. 7 mo after the end of the feeding the greatest BW loss during the trial and confirmed with calving data. feeding period (–51.7 ± 8.3 kg; e,fMeans within a row bearing a common superscript are not different (P
