Special Publication 09-19
Pricing Protein and Energy Supplements Corrected for
Moisture Content
Stephen Foster, Extension Educator, Pershing County
Ron Torell, Area Specialist, Livestock, Elko County
Gary McCuin, Extension Educator, Eureka County
As the old adage goes: “You can’t starve the profit out of a cow!”
Many roughage feeds fall short of meeting the nutrient requirements of a mature cow or
replacement heifer in their last trimester of pregnancy and three to four months
postpartum. Protein and/or energy supplementation is often essential during this period
to help ensure conception of the cow or heifer while producing heavy calves at weaning.
Choosing an economical protein or energy supplement can be simplified by comparing
products on a cost per pound of nutrient basis. Additionally, feeds frequently differ in
water (moisture) content. Because moisture content directly affects nutrient
concentration and dollar value per ton, one must correct for moisture in order to properly
compare feeds when buying and selling. This fact sheet explains how to go supplement
shopping with a least-cost ration formulation in mind.
Moisture and Dry Matter Content
“Percentage of moisture” is a term used to express the amount of water contained in
feeds. Moisture content can be a large portion of the total weight of high moisture feeds
such as balage, haylage and high moisture grains. High moisture balage containing 60
percent water is provided as an example (Figure 1). If one ton (2,000 pounds) of the
balage is completely dried, only 800 pounds from the initial 2,000 pounds will remain.
Therefore, the balage dry matter is 40 percent and the moisture is 60 percent. Either
term can be used to describe the dry matter/water relationship. Conversion between the
two terms is as follows:
% dry matter = 100 - % moisture of feed (i.e. 40% dry matter = 100% - 60% moisture)
% moisture = 100 - % dry matter (i.e. 60% moisture = 100% - 40% dry matter)
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Figure 1.
In most laboratory reports,
the nutrient composition of
feeds is recorded with and
without correction for
moisture content. Asfed composition is used
to describe feeds without
correction for moisture and relates to the composition of the feed at time of feeding and
(or) in storage.
Some feed testing laboratories use the term “as-received” in place of “as-fed” when
reporting nutrient composition of a feed. As-received and as-fed analysis will be
equivalent if moisture is not lost between times of sampling, analysis and feeding. Dry
matter basis is a term that is used to express the nutrient content of a feed without the
moisture included. Therefore, the proportion of each nutrient will be greater on a dry
matter basis compared to the as-fed value.
In some situations, only one form of nutrient composition is available: either the as-fed
values or values on a dry matter basis. It is important to fully understand the difference
because as-fed composition and dry matter composition are different. The magnitude of
the difference will depend on the moisture content.
To compare the amount of protein in two feeds with differing amounts of moisture, the
percent protein must be expressed on a dry matter basis. This can be done by dividing
the percentage of crude protein by the percentage of dry matter and then multiplying by
100. For example, on an as-fed basis Alfalfa Hay A is 87 percent dry matter (DM) and
17 percent crude protein (CP), which equals 19.55 percent crude protein on a dry
matter basis. Alfalfa Hay B is 92 percent dry matter (DM) and 17 percent crude protein
(CP), which equals 18.48 percent crude protein on a dry matter basis.
Hay A:
17% CP x 100 = 19.55% crude protein on a DM basis
87% DM
Hay B:
17%CP x 100 = 18.48% crude protein on a DM basis
92% DM
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Pricing Method
Feed supplements should not be compared by cost per ton as this is very misleading.
When nutrient shopping, you are normally interested in protein and/or energy. Mineral
requirements can be met with less expense using a free choice salt/mineral program
and water requirements can be met cheapest by a visit to the water trough. Additionally,
you may be paying high prices for ingredients used as fillers. When comparing
supplements for specific nutrients, the following guidelines assist in determining the best
buy.
Step 1. Determine the dry mater content of the feeds to be compared. Do this by
multiplying 2,000 pounds by the percent of dry mater contained in the feed as
determined by laboratory analysis. As an example let’s use Alfalfa A in the above
example. The hay is 87 percent dry matter. Multiply 2,000 pounds of as fed hay by 87
percent (0.87) dry matter content which results in 1,740 pounds of actual dry matter.
Figure 2.
Step 2. Determine the total pounds of a nutrient in those 1,740 pounds of dry matter. Do
this by multiplying 1,740 pounds by the percent of the nutrient contained in that feed.
For this example, Alfalfa A is 19.55 percent crude protein on a dry matter basis.
Multiply 1,740 pounds of dry matter x .1955 (19.55 percent crude protein) = 340 pounds
of crude protein. This leaves 1,660 pounds of water, other nutrients and filler contained
in one ton of as fed feed (2,000 pounds – 340 pounds of crude protein = 1,660 pounds).
Figure 3.
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Step 3. Determine cost per pound of actual protein. Do this by dividing the ton price of
as-fed feed (most feeds are priced as-fed and by the ton) by the pounds of actual
protein contained in that ton of as-fed feed ($100 per ton ÷ 340 pounds of crude protein
= 29.4 cents per pound).
Figure 4.
In the example above, $100 per ton as fed alfalfa hay with a protein content of 19.55
percent (dry matter basis) has a price comparison shopping value of 29.4 cents per
pound of crude protein.
Your feed stuff: (DM- Dry Matter, CP- Crude Protein)
Step 1.
____________________ #lbs. your feed X ________ % DM = ____________lbs. DM
Example:
2000 lbs. Alfalfa A X
86% Dry Matter = 1740 lbs. Dry Matter
Step 2.
____________________ lbs. DM X _________ % CP = _______________ lbs. CP
Example: 1740 lbs. Dry Matter X
19.55% Crude Protein = 340 lbs. Crude Protein
Step 3.
___________ $ Price/ton as-fed feed / _________ lbs. CP =_________$ Price/lb. CP
Example:
$100/ton as-fed feed / 340 lbs. CP = 29.4¢ /lb. CP
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
If you are accessing this fact sheet electronically, double click on the
table below to enter your feed stuff information.
Pricing Protein and Energy Supplements
Corrected for Moisture Content
Steve Foster, Extension Educator, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Converting "As-Fed " percent moisture to "Dry Matter (DM)"
Step 1 - Identify your feed stuffs in green blocks below under "Your Feed Stuff"
Step 2 - Place the weight of the feed "As-Fed or As-Received" in the yellow
blocks below under "As Fed Pounds"
* This will calculate the total pounds of dry matter in your feed stuff
Feed Stuff
As Fed Pounds % moisture
Pounds DM
(i.e) Alfalfa Hay
2000
17.00
1660
calculations:
2000 lbs X (100-17 = 83% DM) = 1660 lbs DM
Your Feed Stuff
As Fed Pounds
0
0
0
% moisture
0.00
0.00
0.00
Pounds DM
0
0
0
Compare percentage of protein on dry matter basis
Step 1 - Enter the percentage of protein from each feed stuff analysis in
the yellow blocks below under "% Protein"
* This will Calculate your total pounds of protein based on pounds of dry matter
Feed Stuff
% Protein
Pounds DM Pounds Protein
(i.e) Alfalfa Hay
18.00
1660
298.8
calculations:
1660 lbs. X 18% Protein = 298.8 lbs. Protein
Your Feed Stuff
0
0
0
% Protein
0.00
0.00
0.00
Pounds DM Pounds Protein
0
0.00
0
0.00
0
0.00
Price of Protein
Step 1 - Enter the feed cost per ton in the yellow blocks below under "Feed Cost/Ton"
* This will calculate the protein cost per pound
Feed Stuff
Feed Cost/Ton
lbs. Protein/ton
Protein cost/lb.
(i.e) Alfalfa Hay
$120.00
298.8
$0.40
calculations:
$120.00 / 298.8 lbs. Protein/ton = $0.40
Your Feed Stuff
Feed Cost/Ton
0
$0.00
0
$0.00
0
$0.00
lbs. Protein/ton
Protein cost/lb.
0.00
#DIV/0!
0.00
#DIV/0!
0.00
#DIV/0!
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Cost of Protein
Protein supplements are probably the most difficult supplements to evaluate because
you must distinguish between natural protein and nonprotein nitrogen (NPN), bypass
protein and ruminal degradable protein, and dry vs. liquid protein. Urea, biuret and other
forms of NPN do not equal natural protein. The extent to which NPN is utilized is
dependent on a number of factors including the energy content (especially starches
from cereal grains) of the diet and the quality of the available forage. Also, an old rule of
thumb is that NPN should not exceed one-third the total protein provided to the animal.
Please see Cattlemen’s Library Fact Sheet 322 “Urea in Range Cattle Supplements,”
for more information on feeding NPN to ruminants http://www.csubeef.com/ .
Table 1 (double click on the inter-active spreadsheet below) shows price comparisons
for some supplements commonly available to livestock producers. In this case, alfalfa
hay at a cost of $100 per ton, is the most economical protein supplement. Its cost is 29
cents per pound of crude protein which is 5 cents per pound cheaper than the next
cheapest alternative supplement. Given the costs of crude protein supplements in
Table 1, a producer could pay up to $116 per ton for alfalfa hay before any of the other
supplements would become price competitive per pound of crude protein.

If you are accessing this fact sheet electronically, double click on the table
below to enter your feed stuff information.
Table 1. Comparison of some potential crude protein supplements based on cost
per pound of crude protein
Supplement
$/ton
CP (%) CP (lbs/ton) Price of CP
(cents/lb)
Alfalfa Hay
Alfalfa Hay
20% Range Cube
20% range Block
25% Molasses Mix
Wheat-midd Pellet
Your Supplement Here
100
116
138
155
378
168
0
0
17
17
20
20
25
16
0
0
340
340
400
400
500
320
0
0
29.4
34.1
34.5
38.8
75.6
52.5
#DIV/0!
#DIV/0!
a. Enter your supplement in the green blocks above "Your Supplement"
Table 2 (double click on the interactive spreadsheet below) is a quick reference that can
be used to compare protein supplements based on price quotes and crude protein
content. Transportation, storage and handling costs must also be added into the price
per ton prior to selecting a supplement.
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
If you are accessing this fact sheet electronically, double click on the table
below to enter your feed stuff information.
Table 2. Comparison of some potential crude protein supplements based on cost
per pound of crude protein
Supplement
$/ton
Alfalfa Hay
Alfalfa Hay
20% Range Cube
20% range Block
25% Molasses Mix
Wheat-midd Pellet
Your Supplement Here
100
116
138
155
378
168
0
0
CP (%) CP (lbs/ton) Price of CP
(cents/lb)
17
17
20
20
25
16
0
0
340
340
400
400
500
320
0
0
29.4
34.1
34.5
38.8
75.6
52.5
#DIV/0!
#DIV/0!
a. Enter your supplement in the green block above "Your Supplement"
Cost of Energy (TDN)
Table 3 (double click on the interactive spreadsheet below) shows cost comparisons for
total digestible nutrients (TDN) using the same feeds shown in Table 1. TDN is
commonly used to indicate the overall digestible energy contained in feed. Alfalfa loses
some of its competitive edge when energy is the nutrient of choice. For example, if
range cube are priced at $138 per ton, or 8.6 cents per pound of TDN, they would be
equal in value to alfalfa at $100 per ton if you were only considering energy. However,
the alfalfa at $100 per ton should remain your feed of choice if energy AND protein are
required.
Table 3. Cost per pound of crude protein for supplements ranging from 15 to 35% crude protein
Supplement Cost
($/ton)
Your Supplement Here
0
85.0
90.0
95.0
100.0
105.0
110.0
115.0
120.0
125.0
130.0
135.0
140.0
Supplement Crude Protein
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Cost Per Pound Crude Protein (cents)
0.0
0.0
28.3
30.0
31.7
33.3
35.0
36.7
38.4
40.0
41.7
43.3
45.0
46.7
0.0
0.0
21.3
22.5
23.8
25.0
26.3
27.5
28.7
30.0
31.3
32.5
33.8
35.0
0.0
0.0
17.0
18.0
19.0
20.0
21.0
22.0
23.0
24.0
25.0
26.0
27.0
28.0
0.0
0.0
14.2
15.0
15.8
16.7
17.5
18.3
19.2
20.0
20.8
21.7
22.5
23.3
0.0
0.0
12.2
12.9
13.6
14.3
15.0
15.7
16.5
17.2
17.9
18.6
19.3
20.0
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How Much Protein and Energy Do I Need?
Contained within the Cattlemen’s Library Fact Sheet 300, “Nutrient Requirements of
Beef Cattle,” http://www.csubeef.com/ are the National Research Council (NRC)
nutrient requirements of beef cattle (6th Ed), and nutrient requirements for all classes of
cattle at various stages of production. Tables are also available listing the approximate
nutritive content of various supplemental feeds (Cattlemen’s Library Fact Sheet 301,
“Composition of Some Common Beef Cattle Feeds”). Forage testing should be
performed on homegrown feeds to remove the guess work on forage quality and
minimize supplemental feed costs. The cost of forage testing is usually minimal
compared to the cost of most protein and/or energy supplements. One can determine
the supplemental needs to balance a ration through a mathematical process of
matching a cow’s nutritional needs to the nutrition content of feeds. Several computer
programs are available that balance rations on a least-cost basis. For information on
balancing feed rations for beef cattle or computer programs that are available to
balance rations refer to Cattlemen’s Library Fact Sheet 310, “Ration Balancing” at
http://www.csubeef.com/ .
More to Consider Than Price Alone
Besides the moisture content, percentage of protein and the cost per pound of protein,
there are other factors that must be considered when supplement shopping. They
include the following:
• Convenience/feed ability—feeding blocks or tubs every three to four days versus hay
or pellets every day
• Transportation cost of getting feed to the ranch and storage facilities at the ranch
• Cost of feeding the product
• Availability of the product
• Consumption amount required to balance the ration
• Other nutrients required to balance the ration
• Waste
• Salt and mineral content
• Competition when fed (bunk space)
• Opportunity to medicate feed
• Worn and broken teeth from feeding on blocks
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Only after consideration of all these factors should you make a decision on which feed
supplement is best for your operation.
Literature reviewed
National Research Council. 1984. Nutrient requirements of beef cattle (6th Ed). National
Academy Press, Washington, DC.
National Research Council. 1985. Ruminent nitrogen usage. National Academy Press,
Washington, DC.
CL 309, Pricing Protein and Energy Supplements Corrected for Moisture Content
Ron Torell, University of Nevada, Shelby J. Filley and David W. Bohnert, Oregon State
University, 2004.
CL 301, Composition of Some Common Beef Cattle Feeds, Patrick A. Momont,
Extension Beef Specialist, University of Idaho, Patrick A. Momont, Extension Beef
Specialist, University of Idaho
CL 300, Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, Western Beef Resource Committee,
2006.
CL 310, Ration Balancing, Jay Jenkins, Washington State University, David Bohnert,
Oregon State University, 2006.
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