Impacts of Rumen Degradable or Undegradable Protein Supplementation on Supplement Intake and Performance of Yearling Heifers and Cows Grazing Dryland Pastures
Marley K. Manoukian,
Timothy DelCurto,
Janessa Kluth,
T. J. Carlisle,
Noah Davis,
Makae Nack,
Samuel A. Wyffels,
Abe Scheaffer,
Tom W. Geary,
Megan L. Van Emon
Affiliations
Marley K. Manoukian
Department of Animal Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Timothy DelCurto
Department of Animal Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Janessa Kluth
Department of Animal Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
T. J. Carlisle
Department of Animal Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Noah Davis
Department of Animal Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Makae Nack
Department of Animal Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Samuel A. Wyffels
Department of Animal Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Abe Scheaffer
SweetPro LLC, Walhalla, ND 58282, USA
Tom W. Geary
Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture—Agriculture Research Service, Miles City, MT 59301, USA
Megan L. Van Emon
Department of Animal Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
Angus and Red Angus-based yearling heifers (n = 40) and lactating cows (n = 51) were each used in a complete randomized design and stratified by weight and body condition score to one of two treatments: (1) pressed supplement block containing rumen undegradable protein (RUP) and (2) pressed supplement block containing rumen degradable protein (RDP). Heifer and cow supplement intake displayed (p p p p < 0.01) a treatment × period interaction with RUP cows having more variation in Period 2, while RDP cows had less variation in intake in Period 2. In conclusion, RDP and RUP impacted intake behavior of cows and heifers but had minimal impacts on performance.
