Effects of supplemental escape protein on dry matter intake, body condition and performance of mature beef cows grazing native range /
One hundred twenty-six mature gestating Brangus and Brangus x
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
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[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1994.
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| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=741965831&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | One hundred twenty-six mature gestating Brangus and Brangus x Hereford cows were included in a study at three locations within the Edwards Plateau region in Texas containing predominately warm-season grasses. Three prominent warm- season grasses (purple threeawn, common curlymesquite, and sideoats grama) were collected on a monthly basis for an eighteen month period to access forage crude protein content. Cows were allotted randomly to one of seven treatments consisting of a negative control (no supplement, NC), and three levels of protein (.19, .36, and .55 kg/d for a 500 kg cow) with either high (RDP) or low (UDP) ruminally degradable properties. Supplemental feeding levels were computed to provide 25, 50, and 75% of recommended crude protein requirements. Supplements were formulated to be isocaloric and equal in phosphorous levels. Cows were supplemented individually with the use of Calan gates from December I to April 1. Cows were grazed together in either one, three, or four pastures with all treatments equally represented within pastures. Crude protein content of grasses differed between locations and months probably due to the amount and timing of precipitation, environmental conditions, and seasonal growth patterns. The UDP levels in grasses closely followed the profile of the total protein with sideoats grama having the greatest amount. The NC cows consumed less forage (P = .04) and lost more body weight (P < .001) and body condition (P < .001) than cows fed supplements. Glucose and insulin levels were lower (P .05) in NC cows than in supplemented cows. Cows supplemented with UDP protein had higher insulin (P = .1) but lower serum urea nitrogen levels (P = .02) than cows supplemented with RDP supplements. The low protein supplemented cows lost more weight (P = .08) and had less medium protein level. Differences in locations resulted in different responses to protein level and type. These data suggest that these cows grazing dormant forage in the late fall and winter were protein deficient. Trends indicate an increase in cow performance with increased level of protein and UDP in the supplement. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Nutrition". |
| Physical Description: | xiii, 140 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |