Influence of increasing crude protein concentration in a wheat middlings-based
supplement was evaluated in an intake/digestion trial. Protein-supplemented steers demonstrated
increased (P<.01) intake of dormant, bluestem-range forage when compared with
unsupplemented steers. Although increasing concentration of supplemental crude protein from
15 to 20% substantially increased (P<.01) forage and total dry matter intake. only slight
increases in forage and total dry matter intake occurred when the concentration exceeded 20%.
Protein supplementation increased (P<.01) fiber and dry matter digestibilities. Additionally.
fiber digestibility tended (P=.087) to increase with increasing crude protein concentration of the
supplement. Results suggest that when feeding a wheat middlings-based supplement. the crude
protein concentration should be 20% or higher to optimize use of poor-quality forage.
