Energy may be supplemented for short periods of time. A 1,000-pound cow requires 20 to 25 pounds of dry forage per day. Higher density energy supplements may help make up for short grass, but remember that the cereal grains must be fed every day to keep acidosis problems in check, and also to reduce the inhibitory effects that grain may have on the animal's ability to digest pasture forage. Again, when forage is extremely short, supplementation of large quantities of energy in any form for extended periods of time is usually uneconomical. Animals will perform so long as their supplement compensates for what nutrients are limiting in their diet.
Protein is usually the first limiting nutrient in dormant forage.
Protein supplementation can usually stimulate forage intake. Molasses can be used to stretch short grass, but just like grain supplements, molasses will require that a high quality protein supplement accompany it. NPN is NOT a drought supplement. If stocking rate needs to be reduced, begin by culling the open cows, or dry spring ewes. When purchasing feed, forward contracting and bulk storage are ways to trim a few dollars.