When cattle aren’t getting the minerals they need, it doesn’t always show up immediately. Deficiencies tend to sneak up on you. When you notice something’s off—like poor milk production, low weaning weights, or trouble getting cows bred—it’s already a more significant issue. The frustrating part is that mineral deficiencies often look the same, making it hard to determine what’s missing precisely. And once a deficiency sets in, fixing it can take time, effort, and a chunk out of your wallet. That’s why prevention is way easier (and cheaper) than trying to play catch-up.
So, how do you know what kind of mineral supplement your cows need? I would like to give you a one-size-fits-all answer, but every operation is different depending on your soil, forage, and goals. The good news is that there are a few basic things to keep in mind when choosing the right supplement. Start with a forage test to see what’s already in your pastures, then look for a well-balanced mix that fills in the gaps. This forage test is a powerful tool that puts you in control, helping you understand what your cattle are missing and making the right mineral program selection a whole lot easier.
Why Minerals Are Essential for Your Cows
Minerals and salt are essential building blocks that keep your cattle alive and thriving. These tiny nutrients do a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes, like supporting bone growth, helping muscles work properly, and, importantly, keeping their immune systems strong. Even though they’re only needed in small amounts, missing one can throw off the whole system. Think of it like baking cookies—leave out the baking soda, and things don’t turn out right.
Now, you might be wondering, “Don’t my cows get everything they need from the pasture?” It’s a fair question, but unfortunately, the answer is no. While forages do provide some minerals, they’ll never have everything your cows need. It’s practically guaranteed that your pastures will be missing at least one key mineral—sometimes more. And because what’s in your grass depends on what’s in your soil, even great-looking pasture can be lacking where it counts.
The tricky part is that no two fields are exactly the same. What grows well in one area might be different just a few miles down the road, and the mineral content can also change with the seasons. That’s why it’s so important not to assume your cows are getting what they need just because the grass is green. A good mineral supplement helps fill in those invisible gaps. It keeps your herd healthy, productive, and ready for whatever the year throws at them.
Forage Limitations: The Nutrient Gaps in Your Pasture
The minerals your cattle are getting—or missing—really come down to where you live. Every region has its own unique soil makeup, and that soil directly affects what nutrients end up in your grasses and
On top of that, some minerals can interfere with each other if the balance is off. For example, too much sulfur in the diet can block calcium absorption, which can throw off bone development and other key functions. It’s a bit like trying to fill a glass of water while someone else keeps bumping your arm—things don’t go smoothly. Here in Texas, selenium is a common deficiency, but that might not be true in other states. That’s why there’s no one-size-fits-all mineral plan.
To make smart decisions about mineral supplements, you’ve got to start with a forage test. This simple test gives you a snapshot of what your pastures provide—and, more importantly, what they lack. It’s kind of like getting a blood test at the doctor before they recommend vitamins. Once you know where the gaps are, you can choose a supplement that fills in those blanks, keeping your cattle healthier and your operation running more smoothly.
What types do they need?
This question is another that is easier to answer with more detailed information about what you want to accomplish with your herd. Generally speaking, a complete supplement containing salt, calcium, phosphorus, and trace minerals will help. It’s crucial to ensure that the supplement is balanced, as this responsibility falls on you as the caretaker of your herd.
The exact amount needed will depend on the overall forage quality, production stage, and your cattle’s body condition to make that call. This amount is because forages will provide more or less of any particular mineral on which stage (new growth or mature) of development they are in. The production stage your cattle is in plays a role because a cow in early lactation will have different demands than one that is dry.
The time of year also influences what minerals you will need to supplement. During late winter and early spring, you will need to provide a supplement with a higher level of Magnesium to prevent grass tetany. If you want to learn more about controlling grass tetany, check out a previous article, “How to treat grass tetany.”
Overall, beef cattle require 17 types of minerals. These minerals can be further divided into two groups: macro and micro. The amount of each group is determined by the animal’s needs.
Macro mineral
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Sodium and Chlorine
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Sulfur
Micromineral
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Iodine
- Iron
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Zinc
The University of Georgia has an excellent paper, “Mineral Supplements for Beef Cattle,” that details what each mineral does and the amount your cows need.
Can cattle overeat minerals?
Overconsumption of a mineral supplement can occur if it needs to be correctly balanced. When the supplement is not adequately balanced, cattle will eat more to get the amount of 1 mineral they want. One example of this does not have enough phosphorus.
Phosphorus is a somewhat expensive mineral, so most of your cheaper mixes will only provide a minimal amount to cut costs. A problem with this is that cattle naturally seek this out, so if there is not enough, they will eat more than they should.
Selecting the right mineral supplement can help keep consumption at the correct level. Figuring out the proper consumption may require a little more investment in time and effort, but it is well worth it.
Proper management can also prevent over- or under-consumption. You can do this by moving the feeder around to encourage either more or less consumption. If your cattle need to consume more, you can move the feeder closer to a water source or loafing areas. On the other hand, if they are consuming too much, you can move it further away from high congregation areas. Moving the feeder around can also help improve grazing distribution, encouraging them to move to different locations.
To determine if your cattle need to be overconsuming or underconsuming, you must keep track of their eating rate over a certain period. You will do this by taking the amount that has been eaten divided by the number of days. Then, you will take the number and divide it by the number of cattle.
What to look for in a mineral supplement
Now that you have determined what minerals you need to supplement, it is time to begin shopping. You can choose any choice available at your local feed store or visit a cattle nutritionist and have one custom-made for you.
First, you should look for an appropriately balanced supplement. As I mentioned earlier, a properly balanced supplement will prevent overconsumption. An excellent zinc-to-copper ratio of 3-to-1 is an example of a balance between 2 minerals.
Next, you will want to look for a supplement with a large particle size. The larger particle size means the wind will be less likely to blow your accessory away. You will also want to find one with rain protection.
Third, you will want to select one from an organic, bioavailable source. The mineral source plays a part in determining how well the cow absorbs it. These are a little more expensive, but it evens out since more is absorbed instead of just going through the body.