Weekly, Oklahoma State University Extension Beef Cattle Nutrition Specialist Paul Beck offers his expertise on the beef cattle industry. This is part of the weekly series known as the “Cow Calf Corner,” published electronically by Dr. Derrell Peel, Mark Johnson, and Beck. Today, he talks about Matching Your Summer Stocker Supplementation Program to Production and Marketing Goals.
In previous articles we discussed supplementation programs and how supplementation rates affect stocker calf performance and efficiency. After understanding how stocker calves respond to different supplementation rates, the next step is matching the right supplement strategy to your forage type, cattle performance goals, and budget.
General Guidelines for Supplementation Rates:
· Low rate (0.2 to 0.3% of body weight):
o Supplement Type: High Protein (38-45% Crude Protein) or moderate protein (25-30% crude protein) oilseed meals or byproduct feeds.
o Useful in late summer when forage protein content limits forage digestion and livestock gains. Feeding a low amount of a high protein supplement provides the rumen a protein boost to support microbial activity and digestion increasing forage intake and animal performance.
o Can be provided 2 to 3 days per week.
o Best for native range and warm-season bunch grasses such as Old World Bluestems.
o Supplement cost: high protein and high-quality ingredients lends to high cost per ton of supplement but low feeding rate make for a low daily cost of supplementation.
· Moderate rate (0.5% of body weight):
o Supplement Type: Moderate protein (25-30% crude protein) byproduct feeds
o Ideal for most of the summer grazing period. Balances energy and protein needs without replacing (substituting) too much forage with high supplementation rates.
o Works well for introduced warm-season pastures like crabgrass or bermudagrass that have adequate protein but have low digestibility and additional energy is needed for adequate performance.
o Can be provided 3 to 5 times per week.
o Cheaper feed ingredients can be used to offset the higher feeding rate.
· High rate (0.75% or more):
o Low to Moderate (14 to 20%) crude protein.
o High substitution rates of supplement for forage intake.
o Can be used to increase stocking rates.
o Should be provided daily or 5-days per week at a minimum.
o May be beneficial during drought or when forage is extremely mature, but cost-effectiveness and potential intake substitution should be considered.
o Feed costs should be managed carefully, but use of grains should be limited to decrease substitution rates and decrease chances of digestive upset.
Final Thoughts
Strategic supplementation during the summer grazing season helps stocker calves meet their growth potential and improves overall herd performance. Work with your local Extension agent or nutritionist to design the best supplementation program to meet your forage base, cattle genetics, and market goals.
