Evaluating and selecting protein supplements for wintering beef cows

Abstract

The goal of any livestock producer or veterinarian when evaluating the alternatives for supplying supplemental nutrients for wintering beef cows should be that of selecting a package or program which will maintain adequate nutrition at least cost. Feeds, whether they are commercial supplements or forages, should be selected on the basis of quality. Most of the problems observed in terms of poor performance on commercial feeds relate to two problems: (1) An improper selection of optimum feed to fulfill the nutritional needs
most economically, or (2) Low or inferior quality of supplement. Poor quality feeds are marketed
because producers and their advisors frequently fail to recognize that high quality feeds cost money.