Protein supplementation in beef cattle

Abstract

Cattle fed low quality, high fiber and protein-deficient fodder (e.g., heavily padded natural field, sorghum and corn stubble, cereal straws, etc.) have low to negative live weight gain because this type of fodder degrades very slowly in the rumen, resulting in low voluntary consumption. Supplementation with protein of high rumen degradability corrects the nitrogen deficit, increases the speed of degradation, the arrival of true protein to the duodenum and the forage consumption. To achieve a positive response to protein supplementation, forage must be of low quality, deficient in protein (less than 6 to 8% PB, ratio NDT: PB greater than 7 or ratio PDR: NDT less than II %) and be in high availability so that animals can express an increase in forage consumption. It should be supplemented at low level (0.1 to 0.3% PY) with a high protein supplement (greater than 30% PB) made based on true protein of high rumen degradability preferably without the incorporation of NNP or incorporated at low level. The protein supplement can be supplied daily or every 2 or 3 days without loss of efficiency.