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The Monthly Protein and Phosphorus Contents of Two Important Range Grasses of Southern New Mexico¹

New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station²

Abstract

The monthly protein and phosphorus contents of mesa dropseed and black grama grass are given covering a period of 98 months.

Moderately high protein values, especially for black grama, are usually found during the winter, owing largely to the light precipitation during this season. Abnormal winter rains may leach the grasses to such an extent that they become quite low in protein and phosphorus by early spring.

The phosphorus deficiency is more severe and of longer duration than that of protein. Reference to the phosphorus content of the two grasses studied reveals that the phosphorus needs of range beef cattle are not met, with the exception of during a short period at the peak of the growing season.

Breeding cows on this range have given good production results when the calculated phosphorus intake has been no lower than 8.5 grams and the inorganic phosphorus of the blood plasma has not fallen below 3 mg. during the critical winter period.

¹ Published with approval of the Director of the New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station. Contribution No. 35.

² Department of Animal Husbandry, State College, New Mexico.