Dietary minerals are necessary for optimal growth and reproduction. The amount needed depends on forage mineral content, the animal’s age, and the production stage. Just knowing what the cow requires is only 1 component in evaluating its mineral status. Even the soil type, fertilizer used, and rainfall can affect what mineral is available at a particular time.
While forages and even water can provide some minerals to the animal, they may still be lacking. No region will have every mineral available at all times. Even if they offer them, if they are in specific amounts, they can also affect the absorption of other minerals. Also, just providing some minerals may only solve some of your problems.
Some people believe that cattle will naturally seek the minerals they need, but this is untrue. In fact, cattle are much like people in that they only eat what they think tastes good. The problem with that is that some minerals have a bitter taste, so they are less likely to eat them. Here are some things you can do to improve the consumption of your mineral supplement.
Dietary minerals are necessary for optimal growth and reproduction. The amount needed depends on forage mineral content. the age of the animal, and the stage of production. Just knowing what the cow requires is only 1 component in evaluating its mineral status. Even the soil type, fertilizer used, and rainfall can affect what mineral is available at a certain time.
