Supplementing Metabolizable Protein to Yearling Heifers Grazing Winter Range

Two experiments were conducted with pregnant yearling heifers grazing Sandhills winter range to evaluate response of supplementing to meet the metabolizable protein requirement of the heifers versus conventional supplementation based on crude protein. Supplements were fed from October to February (pre-calving) both years. Intake was measured in November, January and February of the first year. Supplementing to meet metabolizable protein requirement improved the heifers’ ability to maintain weight in year one, but not in year two. Heifer intakes ranged from 2.2% of BW in November to 1.5% in February. Feeding hay reduced body weight loss compared to no hay feeding in year two