The influence of protein supplements on growth of local and imported cattle in the Kimberley area, north-western Australia

Abstract

Two experiments involving the use of 105 animals were done to study the influence of supplementar protein on the intake of low quality roughage by cattle and their subsequent performance.There was no consistent effect of supplementation on intake of roughage, and performance did not appear to be related in any way to digestible energy content of the diet. The growth response appeared to be a function of the overall crude protein intake. When expressed as a function of the calculated digestible crude protein content of the diet, the local Shorthorn cattle in the Kimberley region appeared to have a higher efficiency of nitrogen utilization at low levels of crude protein intake, but were inferior to Santa Gertrudis cattle at higher levels of crude protein intake.