Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
More protein might sound like cheap insurance heading into winter, but there comes a point when that extra scoop is doing more for the feed bill than the cow.
Host Amber Bell is joined by Eric Bailey, state beef extension specialist and associate professor of animal science with MU Extension, to dig into how protein actually works in the rumen and how producers can find the tipping point between worthwhile supplementation and expensive excess.
Protein plays an important role in keeping the rumen microbes responsible for breaking down forage working efficiently. When protein is deficient, digestion slows, forage intake can drop, and cattle ultimately get less energy from their feed. As Bailey puts it, “protein unlocks energy in cattle diets.”
Finding that sweet spot starts with knowing what’s in the forage. Bailey says producers should look at both crude protein and energy on a forage test, then compare supplements based on cost per pound of crude protein rather than simply price per tonne.
The goal isn’t to feed as much protein as possible, but enough to keep forage intake, body condition and reproduction on track without paying for protein the cow doesn’t need.
Website: realagriculture.com
#farming #agriculture #cattle
Find us on our other social media platforms:
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Instagram: instagram.com/realagriculture
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More protein might sound like cheap insurance heading into winter, but there comes a point when that extra scoop is doing more for the feed bill than the cow.
Host Amber Bell is joined by Eric Bailey, state beef extension specialist and associate professor of animal science with MU Extension, to dig into how protein actually works in the rumen and how producers can find the tipping point between worthwhile supplementation and expensive excess.
Protein plays an important role in keeping the rumen microbes responsible for breaking down forage working efficiently. When protein is deficient, digestion slows, forage intake can drop, and cattle ultimately get less energy from their feed. As Bailey puts it, “protein unlocks energy in cattle diets.”
Finding that sweet spot starts with knowing what’s in the forage. Bailey says producers should look at both crude protein and energy on a forage test, then compare supplements based on cost per pound of crude protein rather than simply price per tonne.
The goal isn’t to feed as much protein as possible, but enough to keep forage intake, body condition and reproduction on track without paying for protein the cow doesn’t need.
Website: realagriculture.com
#farming #agriculture #cattle
Find us on our other social media platforms:
X/Twitter: twitter.com/realagriculture
Instagram: instagram.com/realagriculture
Facebook: facebook.com/realagmedia
