/60

6 :? / L -7 / -
Everglades Station Mimeo Report 57-12 March 1, 1957


 SUPPLEMENTS FOR WINTER PASTURES IN THE EVERGLADES

 by

 H. L. Chapman, Jr. and J. R, Crockettl/


 The term "supplement" is defined by Webster's dictionary as meaning "to
supply that which is lacking" or "that which supplies a want". When this is
applied to supplemental feeding of beef cattle on pasture it means to supply
those nutrients which may be lacking in pasture forages.

 Studies conducted at the Range Cattle Station and the Main Station in
Gainesville have conclusively demonstrated protein to be the most limiting
nutrient in Florida for both growing and fattening cattle in the state as a
whole.

 Permanent pastures in the Everglades which do not grow adequately due
to an inadequate fertilization program, cold weather or over-grazing of pas-
ture by beef cattle may fail to provide necessary protein and it may be
necessary to provide supplemental protein to assure maximum rate of gain, feed
efficiency and reproduction performance of cattle.

 However, analytical records kept over a period of several years at the
Everglades Experiment Station indicate that crude protein is not lacking in
the growing pasture forages commonly used for beef cattle. This infers that a
well fertilized pasture which has not been over-grazed or affected by cold
weather will not be deficient in crude protein. It is felt at the present
time that the limiting factor in beef cattle in the Everglades during a 60-
to 90-day period in the vdnter time may be a lack of energy rather than pro-
tein. In order that pastures of decreased quality may be utilized to the
fullest it may be necessary to furnish supplemental energy feed to beef cattle.

 The purpose of the experiments reported herein was to determine the value
of providing mature beef cows energy during winter months in the form of
supplemental molasses and to study the value of furnishing beef cattle extra-
roughage during these months in the form of grass silage.

 The experiments concerning molasses supplementation were conducted during
the winters of 1954-55 and 1955-56. The results of these two years of study
are summarized in Table 1. It can be seen from this table that cattle receiv-
ing extra energy feed during the winter months had both a higher reproduction
rate and less average daily weight loss than did the animals receiving no
supplemental feed,

 Apparently if cattle have been provided a mineral mixture which has been
 designed to meet the nutritional needs there need be no concern regarding
 forced feeding of mineral during the time that molasses is fed. However, if
 cattle have not been provided adequate mineral mixture and if the body stores --
 of phosphorus are low prior to being fed the supplemental molasses it is ver^ \-'L
 important that a mineral mixture containing sufficient phosphorus be proi -


 1/ Assistant Animal Nutritionist and Herdsman, respectively, Universi f fW
 Florida, Everglades Experiment Station, Belle CGade, Florida \