Nutrient Needs Energy. Grain may be necessary in many rations to produce the desired gain. As the amount of grain increases in the ration, the level of gain will also increase. However, supplemental energy also lowers the level of roughage digestion. Corn silage usually contains about 40 to 50 percent grain on a dry basis.
Additional grain appears to reduce utilization of the roughage portion of corn silage.
Quality of the roughage used, condition of cattle, and severity of weather will have considerable impact on rate of winter gain. However, feeding plant protein does not necessarily guarantee greater profits. Growing rations containing urea and bypass protein will achieve calf gains similar to natural plant protein and may improve profits. Phosphorus is often deficient in high roughage rations. A mixture of 50 percent salt and 50 percent dicalcium phosphate offered free-choice supplies adequate phosphorus supplementation.