Influence of Breed and Level of Winter Supplement on Forage Intake of Range Cows2

The effects of breed and level of winter supplement on dry matter and cellulose intake were measured using chromic oxide with 49 lactating 4-year-old Hereford, Hereford × Holstein (Crossbred) and Holstein cows on native Oklahoma tallgrass range. Phase I was conducted in winter when two levels of protein supplement (Moderate and High) were fed to seven cows of each breed. An additional group of seven Holsteins received a Very High level. Phase II was conducted the following summer with no supplement fed. In Phase I (winter) cows fed the Moderate level of supplement consumed more forage cellulose (P<.10) and forage cellulose/kg body weight.75 (P<.01) than cows fed the High Level. In Phase II (summer) cows previously wintered on the Moderate level of supplement tended to consume more (nonsignificant) forage than cows wintered on the High level. Holsteins consumed more (P<.05) forage in both winter and summer than Crossbreds. Crossbreds consumed more (P<.05) forage in winter but only slightly more in summer than Herefords.