Effects of Level of Concentrate and Forage Availability on the Performance of Beef Cows Grazing Winter Range

A winter grazing study was conducted using 120 pregnant Simmental x Angus cows to determine the effect of level of concentrate supplement and amount of available forage on cow performance. Concentrate supplements were fed at a high, medium and low level which included corn, corn-soybean meal and soybean meal, respectively, and were formulated to provide .7 Ib of crude protein per cow daily. Two winter pastures with distinctly different amounts of available forage were used in the trial. The amount of available forage had a greater effect on body weight and condition score change than did level of concentrate supplement fed. Cows receiving higher levels of supplement actually gained less weight. The interaction between level of supplement and amount of available forage showed that high levels of concentrate supplement may be more detrimental when amount of available forage is limiting.