Roughage/Forage
Pasture, stockpiled forage, hay, silage, crop residues, and straws should make up a majority of the beef cow’s diet. However, these are the most variable of all the feedstuffs in terms of nutrient content. In general, forages and roughages should be tested by a forage analysis laboratory to determine nutrient densities.
*Pastures and stockpiled forage can often meet or exceed the protein and energy needs of most cows, even lactating cows. Cool season grasses like fescue and orchardgrass are very nutritious in the vegetative (leafy) stages, but their nutritional value decreases rapidly as these grasses bloom. Supplemental energy may be needed on poor quality pastures. Warm season grasses like switchgrass and caucasian bluestem may need supplemental protein.
*Hays are usually adequate to marginal in energy and protein. Legume hays are high in protein.
*Silage from corn or sorghums are moderate to high in energy and low in protein.
*Straw and some crop residues may provide limited amounts of energy, but are very deficient in protein. Peanut hulls may supply little more than fiber to maintain rumen function.