Effect of supplemental protein:ratio on the intake, digestibility, fill, and turnover of dormant bluestem range-grasses

Abstract

Feeding a low crude protein (12%) supplement depressed dormant bluestem range-grass fiber digestibility, whereas moderate (27%) and high (41 %) protein supplementation maintained forage digestibility and encouraged intake. Increased intake for moderate and high protein groups appeared to be associated with increased rumen dry matter and indigestible fiber fill.