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Cows do not need daily protein supplements
Story in: August-2026
Story: Cows do not need daily protein supplements
Ample research has shown that cows do not need daily protein supplements. In a trial using cottonseed hulls as a protein source, cows were fed the same weekly amount of the supplement at two, four and six-day intervals. Although the four-day interval resulted in slightly less weight loss in cows, there was no difference in weight loss between the two and six-day intervals. Weaning weights of calves were similar across all feeding regimens. In a more recent study, cows were fed the same amount of cottonseed hull-based protein supplement weekly, whether the feeding intervals were three or six times a week. In this study, no difference was observed in cow weight loss, body condition scores or pregnancy rates due to the interval between feedings. Many farmers follow a regimen of feeding twice the daily allowance on consecutive days or feeding three times a week. Feeding at regular intervals makes it more likely that shy cows will receive a portion of the supplement. Although cows should not be fed daily, they should be monitored as needed, especially during calving season. These results were obtained using a dry supplement made from oilseed meal. These supplements had a high concentration of plant-based protein, which is digested more slowly than supplements containing significant amounts of non-protein nitrogen. As in these experiments, cows would not be expected to perform as well if a dry supplement containing significant amounts of non-protein nitrogen was fed at long intervals.
The method of feeding at regular intervals is not as effective when feeding large amounts of low to moderate protein feed (energy feed). For example, if a farmer decides to provide 7 pounds of a 20% protein supplement (medium protein density) per day, 49 pounds of feed would need to be provided per week. For three feedings per week, 16 pounds of feed should be provided. For four feedings per week, slightly more than 12 pounds of feed should be provided. Feeding so much at intervals can cause digestive problems, laminitis, and reduced grass intake and digestibility. Therefore, the maximum amount of feed recommended at any one feeding is 1% of body weight (11 pounds for a 1,100-pound cow). Using this general rule of thumb and the example of a 1,100-pound cow, a farmer’s maximum daily feed equivalent for three feedings per week would be 4.7 pounds (11 x 3 = 33 pounds per week; 33 ÷ 7 days per week = 4.7 pounds per day equivalent). For four feedings per week, the maximum daily feed equivalent would be 6.3 pounds (11 x 4 = 44 pounds per week; 44 ÷ 7 days per week = 6.3 pounds per day equivalent). -Editor
Home Editorial Calendar Cows do not need daily protein supplements
Story: Cows do not need daily protein supplements
Ample research has shown that cows do not need daily protein supplements. In a trial using cottonseed hulls as a protein source, cows were fed the same weekly amount of the supplement at two, four and six-day intervals. Although the four-day interval resulted in slightly less weight loss in cows, there was no difference in weight loss between the two and six-day intervals. Weaning weights of calves were similar across all feeding regimens. In a more recent study, cows were fed the same amount of cottonseed hull-based protein supplement weekly, whether the feeding intervals were three or six times a week. In this study, no difference was observed in cow weight loss, body condition scores or pregnancy rates due to the interval between feedings. Many farmers follow a regimen of feeding twice the daily allowance on consecutive days or feeding three times a week. Feeding at regular intervals makes it more likely that shy cows will receive a portion of the supplement. Although cows should not be fed daily, they should be monitored as needed, especially during calving season. These results were obtained using a dry supplement made from oilseed meal. These supplements had a high concentration of plant-based protein, which is digested more slowly than supplements containing significant amounts of non-protein nitrogen. As in these experiments, cows would not be expected to perform as well if a dry supplement containing significant amounts of non-protein nitrogen was fed at long intervals.
The method of feeding at regular intervals is not as effective when feeding large amounts of low to moderate protein feed (energy feed). For example, if a farmer decides to provide 7 pounds of a 20% protein supplement (medium protein density) per day, 49 pounds of feed would need to be provided per week. For three feedings per week, 16 pounds of feed should be provided. For four feedings per week, slightly more than 12 pounds of feed should be provided. Feeding so much at intervals can cause digestive problems, laminitis, and reduced grass intake and digestibility. Therefore, the maximum amount of feed recommended at any one feeding is 1% of body weight (11 pounds for a 1,100-pound cow). Using this general rule of thumb and the example of a 1,100-pound cow, a farmer’s maximum daily feed equivalent for three feedings per week would be 4.7 pounds (11 x 3 = 33 pounds per week; 33 ÷ 7 days per week = 4.7 pounds per day equivalent). For four feedings per week, the maximum daily feed equivalent would be 6.3 pounds (11 x 4 = 44 pounds per week; 44 ÷ 7 days per week = 6.3 pounds per day equivalent). -Editor
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