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5-1-1952 Wintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges L. E. Johnson

A. L. Moxon

R. L. Smith

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Recommended Citation Johnson, L. E.; Moxon, A. L.; and Smith, R. L., "Wintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges" (1952). Bulletins. Paper 419. http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/agexperimentsta_bulletins/419

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Beef Cows ON SOUTH DAKOTA RANG�S Table of Contents Introduction ------·--- _____------·------3

Review of Literature ______3

Experimental Work _------______4

Results ______·------______7 Experiment 1. Cottonwood Range FieldStation ------7 Experiment 2. Reed Ranch Preliminary Trial ------13 Experiment 3. Cottonwood Range FieldStation ------15 Experiment 4. Reed Ranch ------"------______20 Blood Composition of Cows in Experiment 1------21

Discussion ______23

Summary ______· ---·------·------·------26

Acknowledgments TheSoil ConservationService, U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperated in supplying the land for the winter grazing and the win­ ter quarters for the cattle. Acknowledgment is made to I. B. Johnson, Dr. C.S. Hobbs, L. R. Albee, T. Paulson, G. F. Gastler, and T. W. Dowe for technical work in conducting the project, and to former superintendents of the sta­ tion: RobertSmith, George Dobesch, Carl Larsen, Bernard Kenobbie and Henry Hanson for management of the experimental inves� tigations.

2 WINTERING BEEF COWS ON SOUTH DAKOTA RANGES

LESLIE E. JoHNSON,1 A. L. MoxoN,2 R. L. SMITH3 Wintering beef cows on the wintering practices forSouth Dako­ ranges of the Northern Great Plains ta range cattle. is a major problem for every cattle­ The experimental wintering trials man of the area whose production conducted at the U. S. Range Live­ program calls for a beef breeding stockStation, Miles City, Montana, herd. Proper wintering of beef cows and reported in USDA Technical demands a ration and management Bulletin 603, probably are more program that is ( 1) economical, nearly applicable to South Dakota ( 2) practically free from death loss­ conditions than the others. Their re­ es, and ( 3) satisfactory for high prp­ sults showed that when wintering duction. This is not easy to achieve cows on the open range, it paid to in a climate as variable as that of the feed cottonseed cake during severe Northern Great Plains. winters but not during open win­ In the 22 West River counties of ters. However, feeding the cake al­ South Dakota, there are approxi­ ways resulted in heavier spring mately 22 million acres in farms and weights of the cows and slightly ranches. About 80 percent of this is heavier fall weaning weights of in grass. Beef cows utilize a large their calves. These experiments also portion of this, and if the grass is to showed that 1 pound of cake fed be used economically, many of these to cows on the open range gave re­ cows must be wintered in the area. sults similar to feeding 10 pounds of In recent years, more than 400,000 alfalfa hay. beef cows have been wintered an­ The Montana Experiment Station nually on western South Dakota also wintered cows in corrals for ranges. This research was conduct­ several years. In these trials, 1 ed in order to learn more effective pound of cottonseed cake replaced feeding and management practices a bout 5 pounds of alfalfa as a sup­ for wintering these cows. The find­ plement to low-grade roughages. In ings will also apply in part to the another set of trials, several kindsof cattle operations in the semi-range roughages were compared. These area east of the Missouri River. ranked in feeding value as follows: ( 1) oat hay, ( 2) alfalfa hay, ( 3) Review of Literature sweet clover hay, ( 4) blue joint hay, Wintering experiments with beef and ( 5) corn fodder. cows have been conducted at other 1Formerly Head Animal Husbandry Department, South Dakota State College, Agricultural Experiment Station, experiment stations, but in general, now Reg.ional Director NC-I, BAI, Lincoln, Nebraska. 2Formerly Head Station Chemistry Department, South feeds, management and climate Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, now Associate have differedso much from those of Chairman, Animal Science Department, Ohio Agricul­ tural Experiment Station, \Vooster, Ohio. western South Dakota that the re­ 3Formerly Assistant Animal Husbandman, South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, now Manager, By· sults have limited value in planning The-Way Ranch, Valentine, Nebr. 3 4 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin419

During the winter of 1948-49, deep snow covered the ranges for an extended period. The cows had to be gathered into groups near headquarters and fed approximately 20 pounds of hay daily. This winter each cow required 1 V2 tons of hay and 200 pounds of soybean cubes to supplement the winter grazing

Experimental Work Four wintering experiments were company for this experiment, and conducted. Two of these were con­ consisted of soybean oil meal dilut­ ducted at the Range Field Station at ed with ground shelled yellow corn Cottonwood, and two at the Reed so that the mixture averaged 23.6 Ranch at Presho, South Dakota. The percent protein. wintering rations compared were: The trials were conducted during 1. Winter grazing plus salt,4 bone­ an 8-year period from the winter of meal and ground limestone. 1941 to 1949, inclusive. The snow of 2. Winter grazing, salt, bonemeal 1948-49 forced all trials to be aban­ and ground limestone with (a) doned during that year. In late Jan­ cottonseed cubes, (b) soybean uary after the second bad storm, all cubes, and (c) a mixed protein of the cows were grouped and fed supplement of soybean oil meal on harvested feeds. During that win­ and corn cubes. ter it took about rntons of hay plus 200 pounds soybean cubes to winter 3. Winter grazing, salt, bonemeal each cow. and ground limestone with (a) In normal winters, one-haH ton of windrowed hay, (b) windrowed hay or 120 pounds of a 40 percent hay plus stacked hay, (c) stacked protein supplement with bonemeal, hay, and ( d) sorghum fodder. ground limestone and salt, fed free The roughages were all grown at choice, produced good results when the stations where the trials were 4At Reed Ranch, salt containing 25 to 37Yz ppm of conducted. The soybean-corn cube arsenic was fed to the cattle continually to counteract the effects of selenium poisoning caused by selenium in mixture was prepared by a feed the soils. Wintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges 5 fed to cows grazing on the open The elevation of the Cottonwood range. Ten years of observational Range is about 2400 feet, and that of studies on South Dakota ranges in­ Reed Ranch 1700 feet. Long-time dicate a hay storage supply of 2 to weather data for the Cottonwood 2� tons of hay, or its equivalent, per station show an annual precipitation cow is desirable to take care of win­ of 14. 7 inches, with only 3.5 inches ter emergencies and the years of falling during the 5-month period, limited hay production. December 1 to April 30. The aver­ The Range Field Station where age precipitation for Pierre, South Experiments 1 and 2 were conduct­ Dakota for the same period was 16.1 inches with 4.4 inches falling during ed is located just east of Cotton­ the December 1 to April 30 period. wood, South Dakota. This station is The precipitation at Reed Ranch about midway between Pierre and appears similar to that at Pierre. Rapid City in the Bad River water­ shed. Reed Ranch, where Experi­ The average mean temperatures for the 5-month period, December ments 3 and 4 were conducted, is an ° ° ° experimental ranch of the South Da­ through April, were 22 , 19 , 22 , kota Agricultural Experiment Sta­ 34 °, and 46 ° F. respectively at Cot­ ° tion located just west of the Mis­ tonwood, and 23 °, 18 °, 20 , 33 °, and souri River valley, 35 miles south­ 48° F. at Pierre. The lowest record­ east of Ft. Pierre and 20 miles north­ ed temperat�re at Cottonwood was west of Presho. -42 ° F., and at Pierre a -40 ° F.

Cows grazing on snow-covered range in February. As long as the snow did not get any deeper and remained on the ground for only a short time, the cows did well if they received 1 pound of 40 pen;ent protein supplement daily, plus minerals 6 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin419 Warm days are common during the tion, however, in each of the ranges winter months, however, and snow at the Cottonwood station. Board seldom covers all of the range for windbreaks were constructed in any extended length of time. each of the pastures at Reed Ranch. The soils of the winter range land The cattle used in Experiment 1 at the Cottonwood station are heavy were high-grade Hereford cows clays of slow permeability which bred to purebred Hereford bulls. have been derived from the Pierre The ages of the animals in the herd formation. Soils of Reed Ranch have varied. Replacements were added also been derived from the Pierre to the lots only when needed due to formation. The Reed Ranch soils, age of cows. Each cow remained on however, contain enough selenium the ration allotted to her at the be­ to cause selenium poisoning in live- ginning of the experiment; thus the stock. Salt containing 25 to 37� ppm results of Experiment 1 show all ac­ of arsenic was fed continually to cumulative effects of the rations and cattle grazing on such soils to coun- represent expected production from teract the poisoning. None of the long-time � systems of management. animals in the wintering experiment During tlie years that Experiments showed signs of selenium poisoning. 2, 3, and 4 were conducted, the r re b i t r Mixed prairie vegetation covered he ds we e ng shif ed apidly r r t rebre t the winter ranges of both stations. f om g ades o pu ds. Al hough t r The principal grasses were western each cow was kept on he ation to r m te wheatgrass, blue grama, buffalo which she was ando ly allot d in t e be t r r grass, little bluestem, needle-and- h ginning, he tu nove was so r i t r i thread, side-oats grama and green ap d hat the e was l ttle opportu­ r e t m needlegrass. At the Cottonwood nity fo th cows o show accu ula­ ti e e r station the short and mid-grasses ve ff cts of the ations. r l ere r e predominated slightly. A variety of In gene a , the cows w sta t d t ri r e emb r native perennial forbs5 was present on win e ng t ials on D c e I, r m ti r l in the winter range at both stations, and e ained un l Ap i 30. These e rie b but in small amounts. Some woody dat s often va d y one week. The r t ri l r plants, silver sagebrush and western R s t a ( 1941-42) was sta ted on e e b snowberry, were also present. D c m er 29 and ended May 12. ire r t r be r r r S s we e u ned with the cows ­ None of the winte anges we e e e re r mmer m twe n June 15 and 25, and l ft the grazed du ing the su onths. il e tember b ir r m i r unt S p I. A out two-th ds The vegetation e a ned elatively e e r b r re r r of th calv s we e o n p ceding unchanged th oughout the expe i- ril e l er e m r Ap 30. Th ca ves w e wean d ent and was always st ong and im l mb r on approx ate y Nove er 1 each vige ous. year. b r At oth stations, t h e topog aphy The supplemental feeds were fed is gently rolling to hilly, with a ma- in the afternoons. All cows were wa­ r e t jo ity of the slop s facing he north tered from tanks. in the ranges where the trials were r er m r r e 5A forb is any herb other than grass (a weed in the un. Th e was so e natu al .a.o ot c- ranch stock man's language). lVintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges l Results Experiment 1. Cottonwood Range Field Station ( 1941-42 to 1945-46) The results of cow and calf pro­ supplemental feeding of Lots 2, 3, duction whyn wintering cows on and 4 each evening. S�pplemental western South Dakota range grass­ feeding was done from January 1 to es, salt, bonemeal and ground lime­ April 30. The cottonseed cubes stone alone, or with cottonseed were fed at the rate of 1 pound per cubes, native hay or sorghum fod­ head daily. The western native hay der, 6 are shown in Table 1. In this and sorghum fodder were fed at the experiment the cows were all rate of about 8 pounds per head grazed together during the day and 6Variety 39-30-S, a low prussic acid variety developed by then divided into four lots to permit South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.

Table 1. Production of Cows Wintered on the Open Range, With Salt, Bonemeal, and Ground Lime­ stone Alone; or With Cottonseed Cubes, Native Hay, or Sorghum Fodder, 1941-42 to 1945-46 _ Lot 1 Lot 2 Lot 3 Lot 4 Grazing, Grazing, Minerals, Minerals, Grazing, Approx. Approx. Grazing, Minerals, 8 lbs. Native 8 lbs. Sorghum Cows on Winter Treatment 147 Days. Minerals I lb. CSC Daily, Hay Daily Fodder Daily, Approximately Dec. I to April 30 Only 1/1 to 4/30 1/1 to 4/30 1/1 to 4/30

Cows started, total ------60 60 60 60 3- 3 2 "��::1 t:1;;tr�s��--;�-.-·:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::�:::: 9 4 � 955 956 966 March 1 weight, lbs., av. ------893 921 950 939 Gain or loss to Mar. 1, lbs., av.------52- -34 -6 -27 Final weight, lbs., av. ------873 900 915 916 Gain or loss to Apr. 30, lbs., av. ------72 -55 --!I -50 Condition of cows, av.* ------5.9 6.1 6.2 6.3 Calves born by Apr. 30, total ------20 24 27 28 Calves born, total ------­ 48 54 57 54 Calves weaned, total ------­ 46 50 52 48 Calf crop weaned, % ------76.7 83.3 86.7 80.0 , Birth weight, lbs., av. ------­ 73.2 70.7 70.1 71.1 .._,Weaning weight, lbs., av.------­ 350 382 383 374 Weaning age, days, av. ------183 189 191 196 Paily gain (birth to weaning) lbs., av. ______1.51 1.64 1.64 1.55 Condition calves at weaning, av. ______7.7 8.0 8.1 7.7

Calf wn. wt. per cow, lbs., av. ------269 318 332 300 Summer gains per cow, lbs., av.______83 68 50 63 Feeds per cow for winter period Acres per cow month ------­ 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3 Cottonseed cubes ------­ 119 Roughages ------106 99 995 992 Bonemeal ------.81 .73 1.72 .86 Ground limestone ------.11 .09 .10 .14 Salt ------15.9 19.3 10.7 8.5 *The cows and calves were rated in condition from O to 14, with 14 being the fattest group. A rating of 7 indicates average condition on good range. 8 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin419 daily. During prolonged storms some hay was fed to those cows get­ ting no roughage ( Lots 1 and 2). This amounted to about 100 pounds per cow per year, but most of this was fed during one winter when the qoo range was covered with deep snow for about three weeks. At the levels fed, all rations were insufficient to maintain the body weights of the cows as pregnancy advanced, which is shown by aver­ age March 1 weights. Native hay did the best job of maintaining cow weights, followed closely by sor­ ghum fodder and cottonseed cubes. LOT 1 ____ LOT 2-- - _ By April 30 the cows had lost more LOT J- -- 700 weight, but this was due in a large LOT 4 ------• measure to the fact that from one­ third to one-half of the cows had '13 Fig. 1. Average finalweights (near April 30) of calved by this time. The rations con­ cows wintered on (1) open range and minerals, tinued to keep the same rank in (2) open range, minerals, 1 pound cottonseed maintaining cow weights as existed cubes daily, (3) open range, minerals and 8 pounds native hay daily, (4) open range, min­ before calving started. erals,- and 8 pounds sorghum fodder daily Figure 1 shows the final winter weights ( approximately April 30) 3 and 4 during the 5-year period, the for the four lots of cows for each of average loss for the cows in Lot 1 the fiveyears. There appeared to be would have been increased by about an accumulative effecton the cows 10 pounds; thus making the winter wintered continually on the open weight loss of cows on range alone range without supplement other about twice that of cows supple­ than salt and mineral. The heavy mented with one-half ton of native weights for Lot 1 in the spring of hay or sorghum fodder. Also, cows 1942 ( the firstyear) were due large­ on range alone never did quite catch ly to the fact that only four cows had up in weight with the others, even calved by April 30 in this lot, while though all were grazed similarly Lots 2, 3, and 4 had eight, nine, and during the summers. nine calves, respectively. This can­ The average monthly weights of not be attributed to treatment, as all the four lots of cows throughout the cows were allotted at random and year are shown in Fig. 2. As stated had similar treatment prior to De­ previously, the cows were of similar cember 1, 1941. weight in the fall of 1941 when the Had the same number of cows experiment was started, but their calved in Lot 1 by April 30 as in Lots w�ights soon became differentiated; Wintering Beef Cows on Soutb Dakota Ranges 9

1100

1000

900

LOT 1-----�­ 800 LOT 2--- --­ LOT 3------­ LOT 4- ----

J A A s 0 N F M M J Jy Fig. 2. Average monthly weights of cows throughout the year when wintered on (1) open range and minerals, (2) open range, minerals, 1 pound cottonseed cubes daily, (3) open range, minerals and 8 pounds native hay daily, (4) open range, minerals and 8 pounds sorghum fodder daily this is shown in the Decemher 1 av­ on sorghum fodde� did slightly bet­ erage weights. The cows getting na­ ter in the summer than those win­ tive hay and sorghum fodder re­ tered on native hay, when the win­ mained the heaviest even after 7 ter performance of the two groups months on summer range. No rea­ was always very similar. There were son is known why the cows wintered a few more dry cows in the sorghum 10 Soutb Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 419

The pictures above and on the right show the cows in Lots I, 2, 3 and 4 of Experiment 1 at close of the 5-year feeding. The poor condition of the cows on range alone (Lot I) is very evident, Lot 2 cows (1 pound of cottonseed cake daily) are thin but show much thriftiness fodder lot, but it appears this would ( 76.6 percent ) still did not allow account for only about one-half of the cows in this lot to equal the the difference shown. The relatively weights of the cows in the other lots small calf crop weaned in Lot 1 by November 1 each year. lVintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges 11

Cows in Lots, 3 and 4 (those having native hay and sorghum fodder) have lost some weight during the wintering period, but they are in excellent condition to go on summer range

The percent calf crop weaned ground limestone. Over the 5-year and weight of calves at weaning period, Lot 1 cows produced only were definitely reduced in Lot 1 48 calves, while the smallyst num­ where no supplemental feeding was ber for the other lots was 54. On the done other than salt, bo"nemeal and basis of calf weight weaned per cow 12 South Dakota Experiment Statio11 Bulletin 419 Table 2. Chemical Composition of Range Grasses and Supplemental Feeds, Experiment 1, Cottonwood, 1941-42 to 1945-46 Feeds Fed at Corrals Grasses Grazed on Range Western Little Cotton- Mixed Nativet Wheat- Blue Blue- Side-oats seed Native Sorghum Range Grasses grass Grama stem Grama Cubes* Hay Fodder Dec. Feb. Dec. Dec. Dec. Dec. % % % % % % % % % Moisture ------6.76 7.10 5.63 8.05 5.59 5.68 5.12 5.47 Protein ------41.50 7.40 7.71 3.82 3.61 2.70 3.91 1.91 2.58 Crude fat ------5.30 3.18 2.01 2.12 2.48 2.36 1.88 1.31 1.60 Crude fiber------13.00 31.72 27.66 31.48 32.76 35.77 27.20 29.19 31.31 Ash ------8.00 5.48 10.00 9.15 7.65 12.35 7.11 15.02 Crude carbohydrates ------24.00 42.94 50.04 46.95 43.95 45.93 48.98 55.36 44.02 *As guaranteed by manufacturer. tMade up largely of western wheatgr:iss and blue grama with various amounts of others as indicated in text. bred the preceding summer, the ad­ calves. In fact, calves from cows in dition of 119 pounds of cottonseed Lot 1 ( the cows on the most defi­ cubes to the winter grazing, plus cient ration) averaged slightly heav­ minerals, resulted in an additional ier than the others. Also, the rations 49 pounds of calf weight at wean­ were not deficient enough to delay ing time; the addition of 889 pounds the average settling date of the of native hay ( Lot 1 got 106 pounds cows. Cows placed in Lot 1 at the of hay) resulted in an additional 63 beginning of the experiment calved pounds of calf weight; and the addi­ late the firstyear. Their calves aver­ tion of 992 pounds of sorghum fod­ aged 34 days younger at weaning der replaced the 106 pounds of na­ time than those in Lots 2, 3, and 4 in tive hay received by Lot 1, and re­ the fall of 1942. Lot 1 cows on win­ sulted in 31 pounds of additional ter grazing, salt, bonemeal and calf weight at weaning time. Also, ground limestone only, continued to the calves from the cows receiving narrow the spread in weaning age of supplemental feeding were general­ calves until by the fourth calf crop ly fatter and would, therefore, have ( three breeding seasons) the calves sold for more at the central public in Lot 1 average 186 days at wean­ markets. Using costs of local feed, ing time and those in the other three labor, risk, and cattle, the financial lots averaged 187 days. The follow­ returns can easily be calculated for ing year the calves in Lot 1 were ac­ any particular set of ranch con­ tually two days older than those in ditions. any other lot. This difference was The cows on rations containing not significant,however. no cured roughage seemed to .crave The composition of the supple­ salt and ate about twice that con­ mental feeds and of the major na­ sumed by cows getting harvested tive grasses and mixed grasses of roughages. None of them ate much the Cottonwood ranges . is given in boneme�l or ground limestone. Table 2. It will be noted that the None of the rations were so defi­ protein content of the standing cient as to affect birth weights of grasses in December and February Wintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges 13 is decidedly lower than that of na­ standing grass at the Cottonwood tive hay. Digestion trials conducted station certainly could not furnish with steers at this station showed this amount during the winter that the protein in good quality na­ months when it contained only from tive hay was about 42 percent di­ 1.91 to 3.82 percent total protein gestible when fed as the only rough­ ( which must have had a rather low age. Similar results were obtained digestibility coefficient) , since it was with lambs. When standing grass grazed without any supplement was cut during the winter and fed to other than minerals. lambs, the protein was only 0.5 per­ The cows in all lots were also un­ cent digestible. doubtedly suffering some from lack The small percent of protein in of total digestible nutrients con­ the standing grass and its low ap­ sumed daily, but those getting the ) parent digestibility indicate that hay and fodder were getting more i protein must have been a critical total digestible nutrients than Lots nutrient for the Lot 1 cattle that 1 and 2 and did give higher produc­ were getting only standing grass, tion. There was always grass on the salt, bonemeal and ground lime­ range, but it was not palatable stone. The National Research Coun­ enough or digestible enough to en­ cil states that a 1000-pound preg­ able the pregnant cows to consume nant cow needs a ration containing the amount needed to maintain 4.5 percent digestible protein. The their body weight.

Experiment 2. Reed Ranch Preliminary Trial ( 1945-46) During the winter of 1945-46, a windrows and left for winter graz­ preliminary winter feeding trial was ing. In previous observations it had conducted with pregnant cows at been noted that hay left in large Reed Ranch to determine the prac­ windrows or small cocks tended to ticability of setting up a long-time mold. The hay in Lot 3 was stacked experiment involving windrowed as soon as cured after mowing and hay ( hay cut at the usual time, was hand fed during the winter raked green, and left in windrows) . months. Three equal areas were fenced ( ap­ Twelve breeding cows were put proximately 80 acres each) and in each of the three lots during the were not grazed during the summer. first week of December. Cows in In Lot 1, the grass was allowed to Lot 1 had standing grass, a mineral grow and cure standing. In Lots 2 mixture of 3 parts bonemeal and 1 and 3, 20 acres of hay were mowed part salt, and salt; all self-fed. Cows in each at the "shooting stage" in Lot 2 had the same ration plus 20 ( early July) and the remaining acres of windrowed hay ( approxi­ grass was left for winter grazing. In mately 20 tons) . Cows in Lot 3 had Lot 2 the hay was raked into small stacked hay in place of the wind- 14 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 419 Table 3. Preliminary Trial, Production of Cows Wintered on the Open Range With and Without Windrowed Hay and Stacked Hay, Reed Ranch, 1945-46

Lot 1 Lot 2 Lot 3

Grazing Grazing Grazing Only Windrowed Hay Stacked Hay Cows started, total ------12 12 12 Cows died ------0 0 0 Initial weight, lbs., av. ------1022 1018 1015 Final weight, lbs., av. ------927 954 976 Gain or loss, lbs., av. ------95 -64 -39 Calves born up to May 1 -·------7 5 3 Calves born, total ------­ 9 8 8 Calves weaned, total ------­ 9 8 8 Calf crop weaned, % ------­ 75 67 67 Birth weight, lbs., av. ------68 79 70 Weaning weight, lbs. av. (190 days) ______334 365 349 Daily gain, lbs., av. (birth to wean.) ______1.40 1.51 1.47 Condition calves at weaning, av.* ______6.6 8.8 8.9

"'The cows and calves were rated in condition from O to 14 with 14 being the fattest group. A rating of 7 indicate! average condition on good range.

Table 4. Composition of Hay When Cut and of Windrowed Hay and Standing Grass During the Summer and Fall

Av. of Hay When Cut Av. of Windrowed Hay Av. of Standing Grass July 13 July 28 Sept. 6 Oct. 13 Dec. 7 July 28 Sept. 6 Oct. 13 Dec. -; Protein, % _____ 8.4 8.1 8.1 7.9 7.3 5.8 3.6 2.9 Phosphorus, % .18 .16 .15 .15 .15 .08 .06 Carotene, ppm 130 75 50 40 40 20 5 rowed hay fed in Lot 2. The stacked than in the stacked hay lot, but this hay was fed from January 1 to April seems likely to have resulted from 30 at the rate of 10 pounds per head the cows being slightly higher-pro­ daily. About 6 tons of the 20-ton ducing cows at the start, as indicat­ stack was fed. ed by the heavier birth weights ( 79 Table 3 gives the production data pounds) of their calves. The 15 on the three lots. As this table con­ pounds difference between Lots 1 tains data for only one year, the re­ and 3 on the basis of 190-day wean­ sults should be considered chieflyas ing weights, is similar to the results indications. However, the winter of the 5-year experiment shown in ration of standing grass, bonemeal Table 1. and salt only, again is clearly shown The composition of the stacked to be inadequate to maintain cow and windrowed hay when cut, and weight and calf production. Wind­ the composition of windrowed hay rowed and stacked hay gave similar and standing grass during the sum­ cow-calf production in this compar­ mer and fall, was · studied. This is ison. The calves were heavier at shown in Table 4. weaning time in the windrowed lot It is very evident that windrow- Wintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges 15 ing hay preserved the protein and windrowed hay was much higher phosphorus content of the feed very than in the standing grass. well. There was some reduction in During this experiment all cows the carotene content, but when the lost weight in December. The cow� cows were turned into the fields in on windrowed hay, however, lost early Decem her the carotene in the less weight than the others.

Experiment 3. Cottonwood Range Field Station ( 1945-46 to 1949-50) Table 5 shows cow and calf pro­ supplementing this ration with duction data resulting from winter­ windrowed hay, windrowed and ing cows on western South Dakota stacked hay, a 24 percent protein range grasses, salt, bonemeal and soybean-com cube, or a 40 percent ground limestone alone, and from .protein soybean cube.

Table 5. Production of Cows Wintered on the Open Range, With and Without 40% Soybean Cubes, 24% Soybean-Com Cubes, Windrowed Hay, Windrowed and Stacked Hay . (Three Years' Work, 1946-47, 1947-48, 1949-50) Lot 1 Lot 2 Lot 3 Lot 4 Lot 5 Grazing, Minerals, Grazing, Grazing, Grazing, Windrowed Minerals, Minerals, Grazing, Minerals, Hay and 24% 40% Cows on Winter Treatment 1;1 Days. Minerals Windrowed Stacked Protein Soybean Approximately Dec. 1 to April 30 Only Hay Hay Cubes Cubes Cows started, total ------36 36 36 36 36 Cows died, total ------1 0 2 0 0

Initial weight, lbs., av. ------990 983 988 983 971 March 1 weight, lbs., av. ------970 990 985 1004 1018 Gain or loss to March 1, lbs., av. ------20 7 -3 21 47 Final weight, lbs., av. ------885 921 901 938 962 Gain or loss to Apr. 30, lbs., av. ------105 -62 -87 -45 -9 Condition of cows, av.* ------5.7 6.1 6.0 6.9 7.0 Calves born by Apr. 30, total ------23 21 22 20 20

Calves born, total ------31 34 32 30 30 Calves weaned, total ------29 27 28 28 27 Calf crop weaned, % ------80.6 75.0 77.8 77.8 75.0 Birth weight, lbs., av. ------68.2 73.2 68.7 74.3 72.8 Weaning weight, lbs., av. (190 days) ------368 363 354 368 378 Daily gain, lbs., av. (birth to weaning) ------1.58 1.53 1.50 1.54 1.60 Condition calves at weaning, av.* ------6.8 6.2 6.8 6.6 7.0

Summer gains per cow, lbs., av. ------83 35 34 15 -1 Feed per cow for winter period Acres per cow month ------1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 Concentrates ------105 105 Native hayt ------29 29 935 29 29 Bonemeal ------3.26 2.3 1 2.13 2.91 2.37 Ground limestone ------.07 .03 .11 .13 .15 Salt ------15.2 8.9 11.1 16.4 12.8 "The cows and calves were rated in condition from Oto 14 with 14 being the fattest group. A rating of 7 indicates average condition on good range. tFed only in winter of 1949-50 and fed to all. 16 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin419 For this experiment, five similar windrows during the winter. Dur­ areas were fenced ( approximately ing the month of December the 105 acres each ) and grazed with 12 cows had access to only 5 of the 20 cows per lot. The range was grazecl acres of windrowed hay, plus all of only during the winter months, the standing grass. After January 1, which was roughly from December the cows were allowed the remain­ 1 to April 30 each year. The protein der of windrowed hay. supplements were taken to the cows Lot 3 cows had winter grazing, and fed in the afternoon. The wind­ minerals, and salt, plus windrowed rowed hay was fed in the windrows and stacked hay. A total of 20 acres and the stacked hay was fed in racks of hay was cut from within the Lot 3 around the stacks. All the cows were pasture, five of which were left in watered from tanks. Weighing was the windrows and 15 acres stacked done once each month. soon after mowing. During the Lot 1 had winter range plus min­ month of December the cows had erals only. Lot 2 cows had winter free access to the 5 acres of wind­ grazing, minerals, salt and 20 acres rowed hay plus all standing grass. ·of windrowed hay cut in mid-July From January 1 to April 30 they from within the Lot 2 winter pas­ were fed 10 pounds per head daily ture. The hay was raked into small of the stacked hay in addition to the windrows as mowed, allowed to standing grass in their range. cure, and then was self-fed from the Lot 4 cows had winter grazing,

Seven tons of hay in the stack was satisfactory for wintering 12 bred cows. When self-feeding wind­ rowed hay, 12 bred cows needed from 15 to 20 tons to produce the same results Wintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges 17

Windrowed ha y remained high in protein and phosp horus throug hout the winter mont hs. It was hi ghly palatable to the cows. Thoug h the carotene content deteriorated, in early December it con­ tained eig ht times the amount of that contained by the standing grasses minerals and salt, plus 1 pound of better than those getting the rough­ 24 percent protein cubes fed daily ages, which is just the opposite of from January 1 to April 30. The the results in Experiment 1. The cubes were made from soybean oil cows getting the 1 pound of 40 per­ meal and ground shelled yellow cent protein cubes definitely did corn, as previously stated. Lot 5 better than those getting 1 pound of cows had winter grazing, minerals 24 percent protein cubes. and salt, plus 1 pound of 40 percent The reason for the protein supple­ soybean cubes fed daily from Janu­ ments producing better results thari ary 1 to April 30. the hay in the third experiment may The cows were again kept on be explained by studying the chem­ their respective winter rations as ical composition of hays fed in the long as they stayed in the herd, but two experiments, ( Tables 2 and 6). due to the shifting of the herd from In Experiment 1, the hay and sor­ grades to purebreds, few cows were ghum fodder contained 7.40 and in the experiment more than one 7.71 percent protein, respectively. year; thus the eff ect of rations on In Experiment 3, the windrowed production are those resulting chief­ hay averaged 6.12 percent protein, ly from one wintering trial rather and the stacked hay averaged 5.66 than from a lifetime practice. percent protein. Undoubtedly the As in Experiment 1, the cows on relatively better results from feed­ winter grazing plus minerals lost the ing protein supplements in Experi­ most body weight. The cows getting ment 3, as compared to Experiment the protein cubes in this trial did 1, were due to the lower protein 18 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin41 9

1050

1000

950

900

LOT I----­ 850 LOT 2-- ---. LOT 3- -- -­ LOT 4- - - - -­ LOT 5-- ---

D J M A M A s N F J Jy 0 Fig. 3. Average monthly weights of cows wintered on (1) open range, (2) windrowed hay, (3) windrowed hay and stacked hay, (4) 24 percent protein supplement, and (5) 40 percent protein supplement. l:Vintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges 19 Table 6. Chemical Composition of Range Grasses and Supplemental Feeds in Experiment 3, Cottonwood Range Field Station

Native Native Standing Grass Soybean-Corn Soybean Windrowed Stacked Tall Short Cubes Cubes Hay Hay Dec. Dec.

Moisture ------· 7.71 7.67 5.42 5.30 5.44 5.59 Protein ------23.57 39.61 6.12 5.66 3.28 4.54 Crude fat ------3.89 4.97 2.24 2.10 1.99 1.68 Crude fib er ------4.52 6.43 34.3 1 32.96 35.11 28.38 Ash ------· 9.22 10.13 8.56 8.64 8.50 12.20 Crud e carb ohy drates ------51.09 31.19 43.35 45.34 45.68 47.61 content of the hays fed in Experi­ shown in Tables 2 and 6 preceeding. ment 3, thus putting the cows in Following the close of the winter­ Lots 2 and 3 in Experiment 3 on a ing trials the cows tended to become more protein deficient ration than similar in weight and condition. The the cows in Lots 3 and 4 in Experi­ cows having the 40 percent protein ment 1. supplement did maintain a slight The monthly weights for the five advantage during the summer lots of cows during the wintering months, but it was very small as period and during the following compared to the difference that ex­ seven months that they were on isted on May 1. Apparently the summer range are shown in Fig. 3. greater difference in summer The windrowed hay was made weights in the lots in Experiment 1 available to cows in Lots 2 and 3 in in comparison with those in Experi­ December, as it was thought this ment 3 was due to the carry-over ef­ would result in greater gains during fect experienced by the cows in Ex­ the first month and allow the cows periment 1. It seems a cow can take to go through the winter in better rather se:veretreatment for one win­ condition. This did not occur. The ter without greatly affectingher pro­ cows in Lots 2 and 3 lost on the av­ duction if plenty of feed is available erage a few pounds while those in during the following summer. Pro­ Lots 1, 4 and 5, with no supplement duction is affected, however, if a during the month of December, poor winter ration is repeated for made from 4 to 15 pounds gain each. five consecutive years as was done Apparently it did not pay to start in Experiment 1. winter feeding before January 1 un­ The weaning weights of the der the conditions of Experiment 3. calves from the cows on the five ra­ During the . time Experiment 3 tions ranked in the same order as was being conducted the rainfall the body weights of the cows in the was below normal in two of the spring, except for Lot 1. The differ­ three years, and may have account­ ences in weaning weights of the ed for the fact that the standing calves in Experiment 3 were not as grass had a slightly higher protein great as those in Experiment 1, how­ content during this wintering exper­ ever. Again it appeared the cows iment than during the first one as had the ability to recover and pro- 20 South Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin419 duce good weanling cal ves as long the summer and were not continual­ as they had pl enty of grass duri ng ly on inad equate wi nte r ra ti ons .

Experiment 4. Reed Ranch ( 1945-46 to 1949 -50 ) Experi ment 4 was conducted sim­ ing bod y wei ght in these trial s as il ar to Experiment 3 with two excep­ they did in Experiment 3. Wind ­ tions: Lot 1 ( winter grazing, mi ner­ rowed hay and wi nd rowed and al s and salt only) was omi tted, and stacked hay gave simil ar resul ts in the minerals fed consi sted of 3 parts mai ntai ning the bod y weight of the bonemeal, 1 part sal t, and sal t sel f­ cows. However, they ranked much fed, instead of bonemeal, ground cl oser to the 40 percent protein lot limestone and sal t, each self-fed. than they did in Experiment 3. In Table 7 contains the cow and calf these tri al s the lot getting 1 pound prod uction data for Experi ment 4. of 24 percent protein cubes ranked As in the other three experi ments, at the bottom, bei ng slightly inferior all cows lost weight during the wi n­ to the two roughage lots and defi­ tering period . In all of the tri als this nitely inferi or to the lot getti ng 1 loss in body weight of the cows was pound of 40 percent protein cu bes due partly to the cows becomi ng daily. thinner and partly to the fact that The reason for the wind rowed from one-third to one-half of. the hay and the windrowed and stacked group had cal ved and were being hay ranking higher in Experiment 4 su ckled . The 40 percent protein than in Experiment 3 is rather evi­ cubes did the best job of mai ntain- dent when comparing the chemical

Table 7. Production of Cows Wintered on the Open Rang� With 40% Soybean Cubes, 24% Soybean-Corn Cubes, Windrowed Hay, Windrowed and Stacked Hay, 1945-46 to 1949-50' Lot 1 Lot 2 Lot 3 Lot 4

Grazing, Grazing, Minerals, Grazing, Grazing, Cows on Winter Treatment. Minerals, Windrowed and Minerals, Minerals, Approximately Dec. 1 to April 30 Windrowed Hay Stacked Hay 24% Cubes 40% Cubes Cows started, total ...... 31 31 31 31 Cows died, total ...... 1 0 1 0 Initial weight, lbs., av ...... 1064 1055 1068' 1049 Final weight, lbs., av...... 970 965 953 970 Gain or loss, lbs., av...... -94 -90 -115 -79 Calves born by April 30, total ...... 13 15 16" 12 Calves born, total ...... 27 25 26 21 Calves weaned, total ...... 24 25 24 20 Calf crop weaned, % ...... 77.4 80.6 77.4 64.5 Birth weight, lbs., av...... 75.7 77.3 74.9 79.3 Weaning weight, lbs., av. (190 days) ...... 398 382 373 398 Daily gain, lbs., av. (birth to weaning) ...... 1.69 1.60 1.57 1.68 Condition calves at weaning, av.• ...... 8.4 8.0 8.4 8.0 •The cows and calves were rated in condition from O to 14 with 14 being the fattest group. A rating of 7 indicates average condition on good range. Wintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges 21 Table 8. Chemical Composition of Range Grasses and Supplemental Feeds Fed in Experiment 4, Reed Ranch Native Native Standing Grass Soybean-Corn Soybean Windrowed Stacked Tall Short Cubes Cubes Hay Hay Dec. Dec. Moisture ------7. 71 7.67 5.56 6.23 5.24 4.87 Protein ------23.57 39.61 7.42 8.16 4.15 4.97 Crude fat ------3.89 4.97 1.67 2.46 2.61 1.37 Crude fiber ------4.52 6.43 30.89 30.01 32.54 26.84 Ash ------9 .2 2 10.13 10.91 9.87 9.46 14.18 Crude carbohydrates ______51.09 31.19 43.55 43.27 46.00 47.77 composition of the hays fed in the fected the spring weight of the cow two trials ( Tables 6 and 8). The and her calf production. windrowed and stacked hay fed in Again the spread in weaning Experiment 4 contained 7.42 and weights of the calves was not as 8.16 percent of protein, respectively. great as in Experiment 1. It must be That fed in Experiment 3 contained remembered, however, that these only 6.12 and 5.66 percent protein, cows were also on their winter ra­ respectively; also, the standing grass tions only one year; thus preventing in Experiment 4 contained slightly accumulative effects. However, the more protein than that in Experi­ lot getting 1 pound of 40 percent ment 3. In all four of the experi­ protein cubes definitely produced ments, the quality of the roughage, heavier calves than those getting as measured by protein content, af- 1 pound of 24 percent protein cubes.

Blood Composition of Co�s in Experiment 1 The seasonal variation in the and carotene for the three seasons phosphorus, calcium, vitamin A are given in Table 9. and carotene content of the blood It will be recalled the rations plasma was determined for the cows were as follows: Lot I-grazing plus on each of the four rations in Exper­ salt, bonemeal and ground lime­ iment 1. The cows were bled about stone, self-fed; Lot 2-same as Lot 1 December 1, March 20, and August plus 1 pound cottonseed cubes daily 1 during the first two years and last from January 1 to April 30; Lot 3- two years of the 5-year experiment. same as Lot 1 plus 8 pounds native Venous blood was drawn from the hay daily from January 1 to April jugular vein for the analyses. Sodi­ 30; and Lot 4-same as Lot 1 plus 8 um citrate was used as the anticoag­ pounds sorghum fodder daily from ulent. All blood samples .were drawn January 1 to April 30. in the afternoon, transported to the Although bonemeal was available laboratory in an ice chest, and ana­ to all lots during the winter, the lyzed the next forenoon. The mean cows ate very little of it. In general, and minimum blood plasma values the cows in Experiment 1 were at a of phosphorus, calcium, vitamin A relatively low plasma phosphorus 22 Soutb Dakota Experiment Station Bulletin 419 Table 9. The Mean and Minimum Phosphorus, Calcium, Vitamin A, and Carotene Values of the Blood Plasma of Cows on the Four Wintering Rations in Experiment 1 Mean Values Minimum Values Season Season Dec. 1 Mar. 20 Aug. 1 Dec. 1 Mar. 20 Aug. l Phosphorus-mg. per 100 ml. plasma Lot 1 ------4.64 4.54 5.40 2.73 2.58 3.84 Lot 2 ------4.70 5.84 5.45 3.05 3.48 3.84 Lot 3 ______5.06 4.74 5.32 3.19 2.96 3.95 Lot 4 ------5.04 4.74 5.48 2.64 3.22 3.69 Calcium-mg. per 100 ml. plasma Lot 1 ------9.58 9.58 9.90 7.40 5.67 4.21 Lot 2 ------9.60 9.88 9.77 7.30 7.10 4.74 Lot 3 ------9.68 10.10 9.97 8.50 6.00 5.48 Lot 4 ______9.62 10.00 10.27 8.00 7.00 4.42 Vitamin A-mg. per 100 ml. plasma Lot 1 ------.0236 .0303 .0610 .0031 .0132 .0305 Lot 2 ------.0240 .0257 .0560 .0035 .0156 .0257 Lot 3 ---·------.0252 .0294 .0518 .0084 .0152 .0113 Lot 4 ------.0246 .0298 .0536 .0143 .0193 .0220 Carotene-mg. per 100 ml. plasma Lot 1 ------.059 .034 .411 .030 .013 .172 Lot 2 ------.059 .024 .433 .018 .009 .143 Lot 3 ------.060 .036 .404 .019 .009 .091 Lot 4 ------.059 .063 .375 .026 .031 .154 level in the fall ( December 1) which em South Dakota need some addi­ became lower as the winter ad­ tional phosphorus. Bonemeal, self­ vanced with the exception of Lot 2 fed, appears to keep the cows just which was getting the cottonseed above the border line of deficiency. cubes. The phosphorus content of Self-feeding a salt-bonemeal mix­ the blood plasma of the cows getting ture results in a margin of safety for cottonseed cubes rose to a high level the cows. When feeding the salt­ during the winter, even higher than bonemeal mixture, salt should also it was in the summer when the cows be fed free choice. In general, the were on green grass that was high rise and fall of the phosphorus con­ in phosphorus. This is shown clear­ tent of the blood plasma in Experi­ ly in Table 9 and in Fig. 4. ment 1 followed the phosphorus In one experiment at Reed Ranch content of the grasses grazed by the a salt-bonemeal mixture was fed. cows, unless the grasses were sup­ This kept the inorganic phosphorus plemented with a palatable high in the blood plasma at a higher level phosphorus feed. than when self-feeding bonemeal The calcium content of the blood alone as in Experiment 1. When was high at all times, being well feeding the bonemeal with salt, all within the no�al range. It will be cows were well above the minimum recalled, however, that the calcium level for safety in phosphorus con­ content of the grasses varied little tent of blood plasma. with maturity and was always high Apparently, cows grazing on in the standing grasses. standing grass in the winter in west- It appears the cattle did not need Wintering Beef Cows on South Dakota Ranges 23 Table 10. Protein, Calcium and Phosphorus values were high, due to the plenti­ Content of Western South Dakota Range Grass­ es at Different Stages of Maturity ful supply of green, growing grasses - (12% Moisture Basis) in May, June and July. There were

Protein Calcium Phosphorus no visible symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in the cows during the Western wheatgrass winter i:i:10nths when the blood plas­ Shooting ______7.87 .31 .18 Seed ripe ______5.48 . 28 .11 ma levels were distinctly low. Mature ------3.24 .30 .07 Blue grama Shooting ______6.90 .33 .17 .,-....,.,,.. . Seed ripe ______5.31 .39 .I4 I ...... """· Mature· ------3.68 .38 .09 ,, . /. """·,, � ;11 to be fed ground limestone. Table I ,, ' 10 gives the average protein, cal­ s.o ·-L ,J,,.:f� cium and phosphorus composition ·--�� of many samples of western wheat­ grass and blue grama taken from western South Dakota ranges at dif­ ferent stages of maturity. It is clear­ 14,0 LOT 1---­ LOT 2- -- ly evident why the cows need some LOT J- -- additional phosphorus, but no cal­ LOT 4------cium, when grazing mature grasses. Dec. The blood vitamin A and carotene Fig. 4. Inorganic phosphorus in blood plasma of values were at a low level in Decem­ cows wintered on (1) open range and minerals, ber in all lots and remained so dur­ (2) open range, minerals, 1 pound cottonseed cubes daily, (3) open range, minerals and 8 ing the winter. By August 1, how­ pounds native hay daily, (4) open range, ever, both carotene and vitamin A minerals and 8 pounds soghum fodder daily

Discussion . The four wintering experiments The ability of a given amount of reported in this bulletin show clear­ any of the four supplements to bal­ ly that pregnant beef cows grazing ance the native range grasses during western South Dakota ranges