Protein supplements help cows maintain body condition through winter

As temperatures begin to drop and Kansas pastures enter dormancy, Kansas State University cow-calf specialist Jason Warner says cattle producers should begin evaluating their cow herds’ nutritional needs to maintain body condition throughout the winter months. Warner said declining forage quality during the fall and winter makes protein supplementation an important consideration for producers managing spring-calving herds. “When we think about our low-quality forages, protein often is the most limiting nutrient for (cattle),” Warner said. “We see really nice responses to protein supplementation when we offer that to those cows that are grazing low-quality forages.” As native grasses become dormant, their protein content declines, potentially limiting a cow’s ability to digest forage and obtain the energy needed to maintain body condition.

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