Effect of Source and Level of Supplemental Protein on Performance of Postpartum Range Cows

Two postpartum grazing trials were conducted from early March to mid May in consecutive years to determine the effects of supplemental rumen escape protein on the performance of spring calving beef cows grazing native range. Simmental x Angus cows were allotted within 7 to 14 days of calving to three supplement treatments formulated to provide equal amounts of energy from corn, soybean meal, and a combination of blood meal and corn gluten meal. Cows supplemented with corn lost more weight than cows supplemented with soybean meal. Supplemental escape protein did not improve weight gains over the soybean meal supplement. Supplemental treatments did not affect cow body condition, percentage of cows cycling, or calf performance. Results from this trial indicated that supplemental escape protein did not improve cow performance over that of a more rumen degradable protein source such as soybean meal