02538nas a2200193 4500008004100000245011100041210006900152490000600221520192000227653001602147653001202163653001202175653003002187100001902217700001902236700002102255700001602276856005202292 2018 eng d00aEffects of frequency of protein supplementation on performance by beef calves grazing dormant native range0 aEffects of frequency of protein supplementation on performance b0 v43 a

Stocker calves that graze forages before entering a feedlot account for more than 75% of the beef calves raised
in the United States each year. A large proportion of those will be calves born in the spring and weaned in the
fall. Modest growth rates are expected when the quality of fall and winter forages is poor. Growing calves in
confinement systems during fall and winter typically allows for greater average daily gain (ADG) than grazing
low-quality forages; however, modest overall costs associated with grazing perennial, dormant forages may be
competitive during times when feed prices are relatively high.
Providing supplemental protein to beef cows grazing dormant, warm-season, native forages (i.e., = 6% crude
protein [CP]) has been demonstrated to increase body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), improve
dry matter digestibility (DMD), and forage dry matter intake (DMI). Furthermore, beef cows grazing lowquality
forages and supplemented with protein either daily, every third day, or every sixth day had similar BW
and BCS.
Reducing the frequency of supplement delivery can reduce labor costs and equipment depreciation without
negatively affecting animal performance; however, this practice has variable success when used with growing
beef cattle. In previous research, steers supplemented with cottonseed cake 3 times weekly had similar BW
gain during winter compared to steers supplemented daily. Conversely, in another study, steers grazing winter
range and supplemented with dried distillers grain daily had greater ADG than steers supplemented 3 times
weekly. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of young, lightweight stocker
calves grazing dormant, native tallgrass pastures and supplemented protein either daily or 3 times weekly
throughout the winter.

10abeef calves10apasture10aprotein10asupplementation frequency1 aPreedy, G., W.1 aJaeger, J., R.1 aWaggoner, J., W.1 aOlson, K.C. uhttps://newprairiepress.org/kaesrr/vol4/iss2/2/