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Protein Supplements
Liquid protein supplements can be used as part of balanced rations for ruminants. Most of
the liquid protein supplements are mixtures based on molasses and contain urea and/or performed protein,
supplemental minerals and vitamins. Read the label carefully to regulate the amounts animals receive or the amounts
to be mixed in the grain rations. Most liquid protein supplements are low in calcium and require a calcium
supplement to be fed. Do not feed with other feeds containing ureas or with ammoniated straw or chaff as toxicity
may result. Do not feed straw and liquid protein supplement only. Some grain or quality hay is required to provide
sufficient energy. ~
Canola meal, produced after oil is extracted from low
erucic acid, low glucosinolates rapeseed contains about 37 per cent protein and same TDN as oat grain. It can be
used as an alternative to soybean meal. If oil meals are used in place of commercial protein supplements, pay
special attention to minerals and vitamins in the rations. During a cold snap, cattle of low quality roughage need
extra energy and protein to prevent rumen impaction.
Screenings
Western grain screenings (pelletized screenings) contain mixed grains, wild oats, weed
seeds, chaff, hulls and some dust. The contents are finely ground and pelleted. They are similar to light oats in
feeding characteristics (11-12 per cent protein and 60-68 per cent TDN). The amount fed to milking cows should not
exceed 6-8 pounds per head daily. They can also be used to supplement roughage (replacing cereal grains) in feeding
beef calves and cows and replacement dairy heifers. Because of their fine particle size and the characteristics of
some of their ingredients, digestive upsets such as bloat, might occur if they are fed at a high level.
Pelleted flour mill by-products containing 15 percent protein, 3 to 6 per
cent fat, 12.5 per cent fiber and 65 to 68 per cent TDN may be available in some areas. They consist of wheat bran,
broken kernels and weed seeds, making them comparable in feeding value to oats. They, however, still must be
supplemented with minerals and vitamins.
Rapeseed fine screenings are made up of pods, broken stems and dust
particles along with some cereal grain and larger weed seeds. They have about the same feeding value as a medium
quality hay.
Lentil screenings or lentils rejected because of ascochyta blight
discoloration make a good protein source for cattle rations. Crude protein varies between 18 to 24 per cent. They
can also be used as an energy source.
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