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Mineral supplements for your cattleBy Miles Dabovich Texas AgriLife Extension agent, Wichita County With the rising cost of everything, I know that producers are looking hard at the input cost of their operation and seeing where they can cut back. According to a newsletter written by Deke Alkins of the Noble Foundation, in Ardmore, Okla., cattle producers should not cut back on mineral supplements of beef cattle. Alkins says that the value of mineral supplementation is either discounted or overlooked by many beef cattle producers. Mineral supplements make up a small part of the total diet, but can play a big role in the overall performance of beef cattle. This article will address the significance of minerals in many metabolic processes that affect growth performance, reproductive efficiency and immune function. The importance of providing a mineral supplement becomes evident once you understand how it can affect animal performance. Calcium, phosphorous and magnesium are often associated with bone development and growth, but these minerals also serve other vital functions. These include growth, energy utilization, membrane structure, muscle contraction and hormone secretion. Two types of mineral feeders include a covered type and weather-vane type. Having a mineral supplement available is important for the metabolic processes of beef cattle. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous in the total diet is also important. While cattle can tolerate ratios of between 1:1 and 7:1, excessive calcium may decrease the absorption of other minerals. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain a ratio of calcium to phosphorous between 1.5:1 and 3:1. Deficiencies in calcium and phosphorous or an imbalance in the calcium to phosphorous ratio can result in decreased fertility, milk production, growth and feed efficiency; as well as an increased incidence of metabolic diseases such as urinary calculi. Potassium, sodium and chlorine are important in water and acid-base balance, muscle contraction, nerve signal transmission and enzymatic reactions. A deficiency of these minerals can result in decreased intake, gain and milk production. Sulfur is required by ruminants for the synthesis of the sulfur-containing amino acids and the B-vitamins thiamin and biotin. Sulfur is also used in the detoxification of poisonous compounds like those potentially found in most sorghum forages. A deficiency of sulfur can result in reduced intake, gain and digestibility, and animals may be more susceptible to acidosis. Trace minerals are also needed for optimal growth and performance, and many play a role in immune function. The trace minerals that are commonly supplemented to cattle include cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc. Trace minerals are required at very small concentrations, making deficiencies difficult to recognize. Deficiencies of the trace minerals can result in decreased intake and gain, reduced fertility and libido, retained placentas, abortions and stillbirths, low birth weights and poor calf performance. It is also important to monitor mineral consumption on a herd basis. Simply providing a mineral supplement will not ensure that deficiencies are met. Intake of a free-choice mineral supplement will vary from animal to animal and change with the animal's requirements and the mineral content in the forage and any supplements. A reasonable range for mineral intake is two to five ounces per head per day, depending on the composition of the mineral supplement and the factors previously mentioned. Generally, consumption is lower during the summer months and higher in the winter months due to the mineral levels in growing versus dormant forages. Providing a complete mineral supplement can greatly impact the performance of beef cattle. Marginal mineral deficiencies can easily go undetected, resulting in decreased reproductive efficiency, poor growth performance and depressed immune function. All of these factors ultimately impact your profitability. Providing a free-choice, complete mineral supplement all year is cheap insurance against the many problems associated with mineral deficiencies. 4/21/08 Date: 4/16/08 Advertisement
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