One hundred twenty-eight, pregnant,
Angus × Hereford cows were used to determine
whether response to altering frequency of
winter range supplementation depends on the
protein concentration in the supplements.
Supplements containing 12%, 21%, 31%, or
41% crude protein (CP) were fed either daily
(7X) or three times weekly (3X). Both groups
consumed 31 lbs of supplement per head
weekly. Frequency of supplementation
exerted only minor influences on cow performance
and had no effect on calf performance.
However, cows lost less body weight and
condition as CP concentration in the supplement
increased. In addition, calf weaning
weights were improved with increasing CP in
the supplement. In conclusion, the impact of
supplement CP concentration was much
greater than the impact of alteration in supplementation
frequency.
