During the winter of 1956-57 an experiment was conducted to determine the
value of feeding mature cows cane molasses and Roselawn St. Augustine grass
silage, both alone and together. The preliminary results of this experiment
are presented in Table 3. There was less average weight loss by animals receiv-
ing the molasses or silage than by the animals on pasture alone. The least
average weight loss was experienced by the cows receiving both molasses and
silage.

Table 3. Summarization of molasses and silage supplementation for beef cows
 1956-57. ($6 days)
 Molasses
Treatment 0 Molasses St.Augustino St.Augustine
 Silage Silage

Acres of Pasture 16 20 56 16
Kind of Pasture St.Aug. St*Aug% St.Aug Mixture
No.Mature Animals 23 30 79 23
Av. Init. Wt, 883 963 912 823
Av, Wt. Change/cow/day(lbs.) -1.13 -0.70 -0.52 -0.17
Av. Wt. Change/calf/day(lbs.) 1.39 1,69 1.39 1,l4
Molasses cows/head/day(lbs.) -- 6 --- 3*46

 How can the cattleman determine the amount of supplemental feed necessary
to provide his cattle? There is no single concentrate or mineral supplement
which can be designed to satisfy the needs of every cattlcnan at any one time,
nor will one supplemental feeding program be satisfactory for a single cattle-
man all of the tinoe However, there are a few generalities which should be k1:j
in mind. Beef cattle require a certain plane of nutrition f-r their naintenlto,
that is, just merely to sustain their weight and provide energy for body func-
tions, If the nutrient intake available to beef cattle is below that necessary
for maintenance there will be a subsequent decrease in the performance in the
beef cattle. In the case of adult breeding cows this will be demonstrated by
losses in body weight, lower milk production and decreased calf production.
When the nutrient intake is in excess of that needed for maintenance there will
be gains in body weight, increased milk production and decreased reproduction
performances by the female stock. It is necessary for the cattleman to first
provide sufficient nutrient intake to maintain his beef cattle and secondly to
determine the most economical rate and method of supplying nutrients to his
cattle in excess of that needed for maintenance purposes.

 The supplemental feed may be furnished in the form of temporary winter
 pastures, grass or corn silages, sugar cane, citrus or cane molasses or other
 supplemental feeds which are balanced nutrient-wise and which have sufficient
 total digestible nutrients for both maintenance and the desired rate of per-
 formance. Now is the time to consider what kind and how much supplemental feed
 will be needed next winter and to determine the most economical and efficient
 manner by which it can be provided.

 Acknowledgements

 The molasses used in these experiments were furnished through the courtesy
 of the United States Sugar Corporation, Clewiston, Florida.

 EES 57-12
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