Feed costs make up approximately 60% of the cost of maintaining a beef cow. Due to its cost and that often it must be purchased, protein quickly rises to near the top when it comes to critically considering ways to economize on cow costs. In this presentation, Dr. Francis L. Fluharty, Ohio State University Professor Emeritus in the Department of Animal Sciences and presently Department Head at the University of Georgia Animal and Dairy Science Department, explains protein digestion, and considerations for meeting the protein requirements of different classes of beef cattle.