Supplementing Low-Quality Forage

Dormant grass and old hay can fill a cow without feeding her well. Supplementing low-quality forage is about adding what is missing so the cow can use the forage she is eating.

Key points

Low-quality forage fills cattle without meeting protein and energy needs.
Test the forage first and let a nutritionist match the supplement.
Use protein and NPN products only with expert guidance and label directions.
Deliver supplements evenly and provide minerals and water.

Why poor forage falls short

As forage matures or goes dormant, protein drops and fiber rises. Cattle may eat a lot but get too little protein and energy. A shortage of protein can slow digestion and reduce intake, so the cow gets even less out of the feed.

This is why cows can look full and still lose condition through winter. This is one reason why cattle on dormant range often benefit from added protein even when they have plenty of grass to eat.

Test before you supplement

A forage test tells you what protein and energy the feed offers. Without it, you are guessing. Ask your extension agent how to sample hay or pasture properly, and send samples to a reputable lab.

With the results, a nutritionist can compare what the forage provides with what the cattle need at their stage of production. Samples should reflect what cattle actually eat. For pasture, ask your extension agent how to clip or collect a representative sample, because the plants cattle choose often differ from what is simply there. Keep the lab report with your herd records so you can compare years and see how weather and cutting date affect your hay.

Sample hay by lot
Record cutting date and field
Ask for protein and energy values
Share results with your nutritionist

Types of supplements

Supplements come in many forms, including cubes, blocks, liquids, mixed feeds and protein meals. They differ in cost, labor and how evenly cattle consume them. Choose based on the shortfall, not just price.

Because intake of self-fed supplements can vary widely between animals, ask your nutritionist about the risks and how to monitor. Hand feeding in a bunk or on the ground lets you see who eats, while free-choice products rely on cattle to regulate themselves. Neither is perfect, and neither should be started without advice. Ask your nutritionist how to check, over several days, that every cow is taking a fair share of the supplement.

Safety with protein and NPN supplements

Some supplements contain non-protein nitrogen sources. Used correctly under expert guidance and following label directions, they can be part of a program. Used wrongly, they can poison cattle. Do not guess at amounts or mixing.

Call your veterinarian and nutritionist before using any such product. Be careful with storage so cattle cannot reach it by accident. Read and keep the label from every supplement you use. Directions for the product, the class of cattle and the mixing method are not suggestions. Even supplements that seem simple can cause digestive upset if cattle are not eased onto them, so introduce them as your nutritionist directs.

Timing and delivery

Match supplementation to the cow's stage. Late pregnancy and early lactation raise needs. Ask your nutritionist when to start and how to deliver the supplement so all cows get a share.

Feeding on a regular schedule can help. Make sure all cows can reach the feed, and watch for shy or timid animals that get less. Keep records of what you fed, to whom and when, along with body condition scores, so you can tell whether the plan is working.

Minerals and water

Minerals matter whether forage is good or poor. Provide a mineral that fits your region and forage, and follow label instructions. Keep clean water available. Poor water cuts intake.

Ask your nutritionist or extension office what minerals local forages tend to lack. Salt and mineral boxes should be placed where cattle can reach them easily and kept clean and dry. Moving them away from water can improve distribution in a grazing system.

Common mistakes and what to ask

Common mistakes include skipping the forage test, buying on price alone, uneven delivery and starting too late. Another is assuming that more supplement is always better.

Ask your nutritionist: What is missing from my forage? What supplement fits? How do I check that cattle eat it evenly? Ask your vet about health problems that mimic poor nutrition. Review the plan every season. Forage quality changes with rainfall and cutting date, so a supplement that fit last year may not fit this year.

Do not guess at amounts
Do not start after cows are already thin
Do not store supplements where cattle can reach them

When to get help: Ask a nutritionist or extension specialist to interpret your forage test and recommend a supplement, and call your veterinarian about cows that lose condition despite supplementation.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

More in Nutrition, Forage & Grazing

← Body Condition and Winter Feeding Urea and Non-Protein Nitrogen Safety →