Cattle Diets on Semidesert Grassland: Nutritive Content

Abstract

A study of chemical composition and organic matter digestibility of cattle diets was conducted on semidesert grassland in southern New Mexico during different seasons. Forage quality was highest in the spring. Fall diets were lower in digestibility, contained less crude protein and the least estimated digestible energy. Level of protein in fall diets was greater than requirements for dry cows but was less than recommended levels for lactating cows or growing calves. A stepwise regression equation showed that protein accounted for more variation in in vitro digestibility than did other components.