Feed costs are a cow/calf producer’s greatest expense in producing a weaned calf. To remain competitive, the producer needs to match available feed resources to the animal’s actual nutrient requirements (Table 1). In other words, profits can be maximized if cows are supplemented appropriately (not overfed or underfed) and if available pasture or range forages are utilized efficiently.

Beef cow diets are primarily roughage based and are provided via pasture, range, or harvested forage. Vitamin and mineral supplementation is typically required year-round to optimize forage digestion and cattle performance. Energy and protein supplementation needs, however, will vary with forage quantity and quality.

Protein
Winter range, crop residues, and low-quality harvested roughages will usually provide adequate energy for bred cows if properly supplemented with protein. Protein levels are rarely high enough in these feedstuffs to meet minimum requirements or to optimize forage digestibility. Yearling heifers fed low-quality forages, however, will require both energy and protein supplementation to meet gain expectations prior to calving. Higher quality roughages, on the other hand, should provide adequate energy and protein for both the cow and heifer prior to calving.

When utilizing low-quality forages, addressing the protein deficiency should be the first plan of action. While small amounts of high-energy, low-protein grains can be used, cows will typically respond more favorably to a natural plant protein source like cottonseed or soybean meal. Block or tub type products (with or without additional NPN) can also be used to meet protein needs.

Energy
In some circumstances, additional energy is required (i.e. when utilizing high-quality roughages or feeding growing replacement heifers or first- and second-calf heifers). In these instances, keeping grain or grain by-product supplementation under 0.25-0.50% of body weight (dry matter basis), respectively, is ideal. Research has indicated that this low level inclusion will not adversely affect and may even improve forage digestibility. Grain and molasses-type products with high-starch and/or sugars actually decrease forage digestibility and total energy intake by the cow if fed at higher levels. Grain by-products, however, provide energy through highly digestible fiber similar to forages. While also being cost competitive, grain by-products do not have a negative affect on forage digestibility as grains do.

If forage availability becomes limited, grain supplementation may be necessary. This scenario utilizes a more expensive grain source as a substitute to spare forage supplies. Total forage digestibility and efficiency will be reduced; however, cow condition and performance will remain stable. If forage availability is scarce (severely limited), all grain rations can be utilized provided three to five pounds of roughage are fed daily.

Supplementation Goal
The overall goal of supplemental feeding is to obtain the most energy possible from available forages and provide nutrients forages lack to achieve greatest economy of production. ADM Alliance Nutrition has developed a line of products specifically formulated for high-roughage rations or range conditions. These products provide both natural and NPN sources of protein to meet animal requirements and maximize forage digestibility. Varying levels of protein are available in supplements to match cow requirements and eliminate costly overfeeding. The energy component of these products is derived primarily from highly-digestible fiber rather than from sugars and starches, which can reduce fiber intake and digestibility. Another added benefit of ADM Alliance Nutrition’s line of range supplement products is inclusion of a complete and balanced vitamin and trace mineral package. Utilizing one product to cover all forage nutrient deficiencies reduces feed costs and time and labor associated
with supplementation. ADM Alliance Nutrition professionals can assist in identifying specific nutrient deficiencies and recommend optimum supplementation strategies for year-round range feeding programs.
 

Table 1  Nutrient Requirements of Heifers and Cows1 (lb or % of ration dry matter)
	Calving to Breeding2				Mid Pregnancy3		Late Pregnancy4
	Average Milk		High Milk
	lb	%	lb	%	lb	%	lb	%
Replacement Heifer Calving as Two-Year-Old5
Protein	-	-	-	-	1.4-1.6	7.4	1.7-2.2	9
TDN6	-	-	-	-	9.9-11.0	51.5	11.6-14.0	60
Calcium	-	-	-	-	.043-.044	0.22	0.069	0.31
Phosphorous	-	-	-	-	.033-.035	0.17	0.05	0.23
Two-Year-Old Cow7,8
Protein	2.3-2.4	11	-	-	1.5-2.2	8	1.6-2.1	9
TDN	13.1-14.0	62	-	-	10.5-13.2	53.4	11.0-13.1	57
Calcium	.065-.070	0.3	-	-	.04-.061	0.22	0.06	0.29
Phosphorous	.04-.05	0.2	-	-	.027-.041	0.18	0.036	0.17
Three-Year-Old + Cow9
Protein	1.8-3.0	9.6	3.09-3.75	12.2	1.17-1.56	6.6	1.34-2.16	8
TDN	11.4-16.7	57.5	15.8-19.3	63	8.4-11.2	47.3	9.5-13.8	53
Calcium	.049-.086	0.27	.088-.110	0.36	.028-.037	0.16	.046-.062	0.25
Phosphorous	.03-.06	0.18	.057-.071	0.23	.022-.029	0.13	.029-.040	0.16
1 -  Requirements from 1996 Beef NRC.
2 - Heifers fed at higher levels of protein and TDN should gain 0.5 lb daily; cows should gain some weight.
3 - Heifers should make some gain; cows will usually lose some weight on lower levels of TDN.
4 - Heifers fed higher levels should gain 1.4 lb daily in addition to fetal weight gain;      cows should gain fetal weight.
5- Range of requirements for replacement heifers with 1100 lb mature weight.
6 - Total digestible nutrients (TDN) - an estimate of energy.
7- Range of requirements for heifers with 1100 lb mature weight gaining 0.5 lb after calving.
8- Average peak milk yield of 20 lb.
9 - Range of requirements for cows weighing 900-1200 lb.