Effects of Supplemental Undegradable Protein During Early Lactation on the Performance of Beef Cows Grazing Native Range

Two experiments were conducted (Exp. 1, n = 63; Exp. 2, n = 72) using Angus x Hereford cows grazing Oklahoma dormant tallgrass prairie to determine the effects of increasing supplemental undegradable intake protein (UIP) on performance. In each experiment following parturition (February and March), cows were blocked by body weight, body condition score (BCS), and calving date and randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments. For Exp. 1, supplements provided 396 g/d of degradable intake protein (DIP) with increasing amounts of UIP (211, 274, 337, and 400 g/d, respectively). For Exp. 2, supplements provided 281 g/d of DIP with 142, 196, 248, and 301 g/d UIP, respectively. Cows were individually fed 1.59 kg supplement 6 d/wk. Body weight and BCS were determined biweekly until the end of supplementation (Exp. 1, 37 + 1.5 d; Exp. 2, 45 + 1.2 d). Milk production was estimated 30 and 45 d postpartum. Plasma progesterone concentrations were quantified weekly to determine interval to first normal luteal function (PPI). Weight loss, BCS, and PPI were not influenced by treatment. In Exp. 2, there was a linear (P<0.08) decrease in weight gain of calves post-treatment to weaning as supplemental UIP increased, and a quadratic effect (P<0.06) of additional UIP on milk production at 30 d postpartum. In these experiments, metabolizable protein requirements were met by microbial protein, forage UIP, and a minimum of 142 g of supplemental UIP.