Using a mineral supplement is one of cattle management’s most important yet overlooked parts. Sure, we all are concerned with the amount of protein or energy we are getting, but what about meeting their mineral needs?
Though cattle need minimal mineral supplements, this can significantly affect their overall production and well-being. Selecting the correct mineral supplement is necessary for optimal growth and reproduction health.
When mineral requirements are not being met, cattle do not perform as efficiently as possible. One problem here is that the signs of a deficiency may only be visible once it becomes a severe problem. When that happens, getting them back to where they need to be will cost a lot.
When a deficiency is present, you will see things like decreased weaning weights, reduced milk production, and lack of cows being bred, to name a few. Many signs of deficiency are the same with different minerals, so it may take time to pinpoint which ones they need.
But what type of mineral supplement should I provide? I may not be able to tell you exactly which one will work because I do not know your operation. However, I can give you some tips to consider when deciding which one will work best for you.
Why do cows need a mineral supplement?
Minerals, along with salt, are necessary elements to sustain life. These little nutrients are needed for everything from bone growth to muscle functionality.
Now you may be thinking, “Wouldn’t my forages provide all of the necessary minerals that my cows will need?” and the quick answer to that is NO. Your forages will only provide some of the minerals your cows need. It is almost assured that your forages will be lacking in something. There will never be any forages that will provide all the required.
Which minerals are deficient will entirely depend on where you are located. What your forages will provide depends on what is present in your soil. It will not be in your grasses if it is not in the ground. The number of minerals present can vary depending on which region of the country you are in and can even differ in different parts of the county you are in.
Each soil type will only provide the correct amount of minerals in the amount needed. Some places, like here in Texas, may be deficient in selenium. Another problem you can run into is that too much of 1 type of mineral will interfere with the absorption of another. Too much sulfur inhibiting calcium absorption comes to mind.
Knowing the number of minerals present is why a forage test is crucial before choosing a mineral supplement program. This test will tell you what you are deficient in and what adjustments you need to make.
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.
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, 17 types of minerals are required by beef cattle. They can be broken down further into two groups: Macro and micro. These groups are determined by the amount that the animal 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.
The third thing is that 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.
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