Lush spring pastures may be too high in protein, contributing to poorer cow performance and slower breed-back in some cases, University of Illinois Extension beef educator Travis Meteer said.

Related: When to turn beef cattle out on spring pasture

Meteer said complaints from Illinois cattlemen and slower breed-up in the University herd led to an investigation of the effectiveness of dry, low-protein supplement for cows.

Turning cows out to spring and summer pasture could introduce higher protein rates without enough protein

University pastures are composed of endophyte-infected fescue, red clover, orchard grass, and white clover. Meteer said that samples from the pastures showed that crude protein was around 25% in early May. CP content declines as expected as the forage matures, however, measurements in 2013 and 2014 show levels could be in excess for approximately 20 days.

While protein levels are high, the fiber components of the plant, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber are low. "This combination lends to loose stools and high passage rates," Meteer said.

Improved conception rates
Despite seeing no differences in cow body weight or body condition score either year of the trial, Meteer said he saw a numerical increase of 22% in first service conception rates in 2013.

"In 2014, we saw a 14% increase. It is evident that cows that received the dry, low-protein supplement were more apt to breed early in the season, despite no differences in overall conception rates," he said. "Logically, as the grass matures, it decreases in CP and increases in fiber, and the cows breed, but they breed later in the season."

Related: Summer beef cattle grazing strategies vary, but ideal outcome is the same

In 2014, Meteer and his team took blood samples from the cows to look at the blood urea nitrogen levels. Cows that received no supplement, only green grass, tended to have elevated BUN levels after being turned out to pasture.

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Observing cows panting, crowding, or showing signs of heat stress, despite moderate temperatures, is common in cows that are consuming excess protein, Meteer said.

"You can check urine pH as well. If the pH is above 7, the pasture is providing a diet that has excess protein. The obvious observation is the consistency of the manure. Loose, runny manure is a sign of excess protein," he cautioned.

Supplementing cows on lush spring pasture that is too high in protein may be necessary to avoid losses in performance. Rotating cows rapidly through paddocks, only allowing them to consume the top one-third of the plant, can help, Meteer said.

Related: 4 Tips For Late Spring and Early Summer Pasture Management

"Cows calving from mid-February to mid-March will be the most likely to experience trouble re-breeding as the lush spring pasture coincides with their breeding season. Cows calving earlier are likely bred while still receiving harvested feeds, and cows calving later will breed on more mature forage," he added.

"Providing a dry, low-protein supplement that is palatable will help balance protein excess in the rumen and contribute to optimal performance," Meteer said.