Introduction

Forages are the main component of beef cattle diets in Arkansas.
Cattle rely on forages to supply
• Protein
• Energy
• Minerals
• Vitamins

1,100 lb Beef Cow
Nutrient Requirement

Role of Vitamins and Minerals

• Bone Development
• Metabolism
• Prevent oxidative damage to cells
• Reproduction
• Immune function
• Nerve signals
• Muscle contractions
 

How do we determine a mineral deficiency or toxicity problem?

• Clinical symptoms
• Forage analysis
• Animal blood and tissue samples

Symptoms of Mineral Deficiencies

• Clinical symptoms
     - Milk Fever, Grass Tetany, Goiter, White Muscle Disease
• Subclinical losses such as:
     - Lower calf crop percentage
     - Higher pull rate for stressed calves
     - Lower growth rate
• Subclinical losses reduce profitability and go undetected without good record keeping

Mineral in Forages

     - Mineral composition of the soil
     - Soil pH
     - Growing conditions (i.e., moisture)
     - Plant maturity

When should a mineral/vitamin supplement be provided?

• When forages are deficient
• When forages are excessive
• When availability of nutrients from forage is limited
• When forage intake is limited

Mineral Categories

• Two General Categories
     - Major = Macro
     - Minor = Micro = Trace

• Calcium (Ca)
• Phosphorus (P)
• Magnesium (Mg)
• Potassium (K)
• Sodium (Na)
• Chlorine (Cl)
• Sulfur (S)

• Iron (Fe)
• Manganese (Mn)
• Copper (Cu)
• Selenium (Se)
• Zinc (Zn)
• Iodine (I)
• Cobalt (Co)
• Molybdenum (Mo)

• Depends on pasture quality and forage availability
• The amount of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in a supplement is generally based on soil fertility and forage maturity.
• Trace minerals (copper, zinc and selenium) should be formulated in a mineral supplement to meet most of the requirement.

• Usually not a problem on green pasture
• Vitamins A and E should be supplemented with hay
• Most mineral mixes have A, D and E added at sufficient levels
• Don’t buy more than a three-month supply of minerals because vitamins will degrade

• Do not provide additional salt sources unless suggested on the mineral tag.
• If feeding salt-limited grain supplements, added the mineral to the grain supplement.
• If feeding grain daily, mix the mineral in with the grain if possible to ensure consistent, uniform intake of the mineral.

• If mineral intake is excessive
     - Add salt
     - Move mineral feeder further away from watering source
     - Change brands
• If mineral intake is inadequate
     - Add a protein meal (cottonseed or soybean meal)
     - Add dry molasses
     - Move mineral feeder closer to the watering source
     - Change brands

• Minerals deficiencies can result in reduced animal performance
• Make sure the mineral supplement being used has adequate levels of trace minerals
• Feed the right mineral at the right time of year
• Monitor intake and adjust if needed