Though minerals take up a small portion of a cow’s overall diet they control many vital functions and can impact everything. A complete mineral should contain the proper balance of all 14 essential cattle minerals.
Cattle reproduction and nervous system function as well as feed efficiency and overall herd health can be impacted.
When developing a solid mineral plan there are 3 factors to consider.
1. Analyze annual cattle needs
A cow’s mineral nutrient requirements can vary based on season, stage of production as well as the ration’s nutrient composition. These factors can change from year to year or even during the same year so keep an eye on what nutrients your forages are providing. Begin your plan by looking at how these factors can change in your herd throughout the year.
During gestation and calving it’s critical to have mineral available to get through the stress period and also mineral deficient cows create calves deficient at birth that are more likely to be a health risk. This can result in things like “weak calf syndrome”, loss of vigor, or even scours.
At weaning calves need an abundant reserve of mineral in their system. This is important because the calf’s stress levels are elevated and feed consumption will decrease temporarily.
Producers should also look at the overall composition of nutrients in their feedstuffs. The season is also an important consideration. For an example, areas with cool season grasses that have grown rapidly will need a higher magnesium mineral supplement in the spring to prevent something like grass tetany.
I discuss how to set up a nutrition plan here
2. Choose optimal mineral source
Not all minerals are created equal. More is not necessarily better when it comes to minerals. It would be wise to not let just the label to solely drive your decision.
You should work with an extension agent or nutrition consultant to determine what macro and micro nutrients are needed in your herd. Once you have determined this compare those nutrients to the amount that is available in the rations or forages the cattle are eating. When you know what you are lacking you can calculate the anticipated intake of the mineral and choose a mineral that will supply the lacking nutrients.
It is important to identify the source and not just the concentration. Ones from oxides are virtually unavailable to cattle while forms like chlorides and sulfides are better, organics or chelates are usually the best. Most oxide formulations are less expensive for manufacturers to include. But these simply aren’t gonna have the impact.
So where the mineral is derived from is just as important as the amount that is provided.
Another thing to consider when choosing a mineral is the seasonality. During rainy parts of the year and water-resistant and weatherized product will make a better choice. It will provide protection from mineral caking or being blown away by the wind.
It’s a good idea to visit with your veterinarian or cattle nutritionist to find the best brand for you.
3. Make the most of mineral consumption
A mineral does you no good if the cattle aren’t eating enough. It takes proper management to have an effective mineral supplementation program. So you should track consumption to ensure they are getting enough.
The formula to find this out is: (pounds put out divided by the number of cows)/ number of days the mineral was available. You can encourage or discourage the amount consumed by placement near water sources or loafing areas.
Cows can’t tell if they need mineral or not but they will seek out phosphorus and salt. This can offer certain management tactics to control consumption. Salt can be used as either a limiter, or if they salt deficient it can be a driver of intake.
You should take the steps necessary to prevent overconsumption because though it may not be fatal it can get expensive.
With a sound supplement program you might not see it overnight but your return on investment can be long-term. There are some results you will see with a good program. They are: more cows bred back and less calf health challenges.
If you are looking for more information on minerals the Texas AgriLife extension service has a publication that goes into more detail here.
Review
A well planned out mineral program requires looking at many factors but that planning can pay off in the end. Some of the factors that you should look at are:
- What are your cow’s annual mineral needs
- Choose a mineral supplement that comes from an optimal source
- Take management steps to make sure that the mineral is not being over- or under-consumed
