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Potassium in Range Supplements¹

University of Nebraska North Platte Station, North Platte 69101

Abstract

The results of three experiments with weanling steer calves grazing native winter range forage (predominately grasses) indicated that supplemental potassium prevented a depression in weight gains. The optimum level of supplemental potassium was not determined, but the data indicate that supplements fed at the rate of .68 kg per day to weanling calves on winter range should contain at least 2.0% potassium.

Based upon weight changes it appears that dry bred cows grazing winter range forage also require potassium supplementation. This would be especially true if the supplements being used contained urea.

An apparent potassium maintenance requirement of 75 meq/100 kg body weight per day for yearling steers was determined in a balance experiment. The urinary creatinine-potassium (UC/K) ratio at the potassium maintenance level was calculated via a regression equation to be 2.09. The use of UC/K ratios as an aid in diagnosing potassium deficiency in beef cattle was suggested.

¹ Published as Paper No. 5275. Journal Series, Nebraska Agriculture Experiment Station.

² Present address: Northern Great Plains Research Center, Mandan, ND.