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Improving Growth on Excess Protein Pasture – Cattle

Supplementing grains to livestock grazing pastures high in protein manages the excess ammonia in the rumen and prevents energy wastage leading to lower production.

Compare managing excess pasture protein with supplementary feeding to providing no additional supplement.

When there is high quality and fast growing pastures, the maximum number of cattle per feeder is 60.
Growing out weaned cattle for 60 days post weaning on high quality pastures can be common.
1kg / day is a common ration to manage the excess protein.
Enter the cost of your feed ration.
Current pricing on feeders can be found on our Product Directory.
Please enter a number from 1 to 30.
How long the product is expected to last. Maximum input is 30.
Costs include moving feeders, training stock, filling feeders and organising feed purchase.
Case studies show it is common for cattle to convert 2kg of feed into 1kg of liveweight gain from supplement.
Enter the value you expect to receive for your stock.
Straight line depreciation over two-thirds the lifespan of the product with a $0 residual. Assumes the feeder is only used for this period each year.
Total additional income (all the cattle on the feeder).
Additional profit gained through this feeding period.
Number of months for the additional profit to exceed the investment in the product.
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Managing High-Protein Pastures to Boost Growth Rates

Excess Protein Information Sheet

Many pastures are very high in protein during their elongation phase, which is often used to grow and finish young stock. Weaned cattle typically require 12–16% protein in their diet, while pastures can contain 25–35%.

Excess protein must be processed by the rumen and excreted via urine, a phenomenon known as “the protein cost.” Each extra 1% of protein excreted is estimated to cost 1 MJ of energy.

Supplementing high-quality pastures with starch helps manage excess protein in the rumen, enabling faster growth and producing more kilograms per unit of grass.

Our information sheet provides a brief overview and explains:

  • How pasture composition can limit production
  • The latest science on correcting pasture-related issues
  • How to quantify potential gains from complementary feeding

Additional Considerations Improving Growth on Excess Protein Pasture – Cattle

Farming operations are complex, and the following factors are not included in this calculator:

  • Multi-purpose feeder use: Feeders can be used for other purposes throughout the year, reducing depreciation costs and increasing return on investment.
  • Improved pasture utilisation: Supplementing pasture can slow feed passage and improve nutrient utilisation, producing more from the same amount of grass.
  • Enhanced growth and reproduction: Higher growth rates during this period contribute to higher weights at joining and improve heifer conception rates.
Built tough for the paddock, backed by results
  • Lower input costs. Improve livestock production. Increase profitability.
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