Mineral Supplementation for Beef, Goats & Sheep

Short-term vs. Long-term Effects

Mineral nutrition important for optimum production

Macro & Micro Minerals Macro Salt (NaCl) Calcium (Ca) Phosphorous (P) Magnesium (Mg) Potassium (K) Sulfur (S) Macro Salt (NaCl) Calcium (Ca) Phosphorous (P) Magnesium (Mg) Potassium (K) Sulfur (S) Micro Copper (Cu) Selenium (Se) Zinc (Zn) Manganese (Mn) Cobalt (Co) Iron (Fe) Chromium (Cr) Molybdenum (Mo) Iodine (I) Nickel (Ni)

Legal? Amount Formula Feed Mixing Mineral Free-choice Label claims Ingredient Amount Formula Feed Mixing Mineral Free-choice Label claims Ingredient

Legal? Selenium Antibiotics Rumensin Chelates Organic selenium FEB-200 Selenium Antibiotics Rumensin Chelates Organic selenium FEB-200

Many feed companies and many different complex formulas equals confusion

Major minerals in % Micro (trace) minerals %, mg/kg or ppm

Don’t get confused… mg/kg equals ppm Percentage to mg/kg (ppm) –Move decimal 4 places to the right e.g. 0.3% = 3,000 ppm mg/kg equals ppm Percentage to mg/kg (ppm) –Move decimal 4 places to the right e.g. 0.3% = 3,000 ppm

General Functions of Minerals Nutrient Metabolism Reproduction Immune Function Nerve Function Nutrient Metabolism Reproduction Immune Function Nerve Function

Deficiencies Difficult to assess. May be lower weight gains, reduced milk and/or decreased repro without visable signs. Also decreased immune function.

Factors Influencing Mineral Utilization from Forage Dry matter intake Forage mineral content Forage mineral availability Antagonists Dry matter intake Forage mineral content Forage mineral availability Antagonists

Beef Cow Req vs. Fescue (%) ReqFescue Na Ca P* Mg** K S *Varies with production ** High risk grass tetany (22 g/d)

Beef Cow Req vs. Fescue (ppm or mg/kg) ReqFescue* Cu106 Se Zn3019 Mn40119 Co.1.2 Fe50100 *CHAPA, 1996

Availability from Forage % Ca50-68 Mg10-45 P65-70 Cu5-15 Se28-32 Fe30-70 Mn3-4

Availability in Supplement ElementSourceBioavailability CopperCopperlysineHigh Copper proteinateHigh Copper carbonateHigh Copper sulfateHigh Copper oxideLow

Mineral Antagonists Feed Water Mineral supplement Feed Water Mineral supplement

Mineral Review A look at individual minerals and their importance to cattle

Salt (NaCl)  Electrolyte balance  Need for sodium (they will consume minerals to meet the need for salt)  Electrolyte balance  Need for sodium (they will consume minerals to meet the need for salt)

Calcium (Ca)  Least likely to be deficient in forage  Legumes contain high level  Cheap  Don’t use high levels in supplement for grazing cattle  Least likely to be deficient in forage  Legumes contain high level  Cheap  Don’t use high levels in supplement for grazing cattle

Phosphorous (P)  May be def. esp. w/high production  Forage content decreases w/maturity  Grain is high in P  Expensive  May be def. esp. w/high production  Forage content decreases w/maturity  Grain is high in P  Expensive

Pasture Higher Ca (esp. Clover); Lower P

Ca:P ratio  Dietary ratio 1:1 to 7:1  In supplement –  3:1 to 2:1 grass  2:1 – 1:1 mixed  1:2 clover  Dietary ratio 1:1 to 7:1  In supplement –  3:1 to 2:1 grass  2:1 – 1:1 mixed  1:2 clover

Magnesium (Mg)  Associated with Grass tetany  High K and N reduce absorption  Associated with Grass tetany  High K and N reduce absorption

Potassium (K)  Weaned or newly received calves need short term suppl.

Iron (Fe)  Assoc with RBC (hemoglobin)  Anemia unlikely unless parasite, disease  High levels can interfere with other minerals.  Assoc with RBC (hemoglobin)  Anemia unlikely unless parasite, disease  High levels can interfere with other minerals.

Sulfur (S)  Levels above 0.25% can be antagonistic to Copper

What about the water? Consider mineral levels in water – especially antagonists  Sulfur  Iron Consider mineral levels in water – especially antagonists  Sulfur  Iron

Micro (Trace) Minerals

Copper (Cu)  Supplementation is needed  Affected by Mo, S, Fe, breed  Necessary for growth, repro, immunity  Varying availability in supplement  Simmental/Charolais have higher req.  Supplementation is needed  Affected by Mo, S, Fe, breed  Necessary for growth, repro, immunity  Varying availability in supplement  Simmental/Charolais have higher req.

Copper deficiency  Physical appearance  Reddish appearance on black animals – behind shoulders and lower qtrs.  White ring around eyes  Liver biopsy best to assess  Physical appearance  Reddish appearance on black animals – behind shoulders and lower qtrs.  White ring around eyes  Liver biopsy best to assess

Copper Supplementation Source Cu OxideCu SulfateCu Proteinate % Pregnant8592

Suggested Copper Levels (3-4 oz/da) Gill, UT ForageMineral Cu, ppmS, %Cu,ppm No known Problems ,000 Some rough hair coat ,000 – 1,200 Rough hair, some open cows ,500 – 2,000 Rough hair, significant problems <6>.312,000 – 3,000

Selenium (Se)  Need in supplement  Se/Vit E interrelated  Regulated (3 mg/hd/da)  Increased sulfur will increase req.  Need in supplement  Se/Vit E interrelated  Regulated (3 mg/hd/da)  Increased sulfur will increase req.

Selenium Deficiency  Increase in early, embryonic death  Retained placentas  Weak calves at birth  Compromised immune system  Increase in early, embryonic death  Retained placentas  Weak calves at birth  Compromised immune system

Manganese (Mn)  Very poorly absorbed  Involved in enzyme systems  High Ca and P can increase req.  Deficiency –Deformed calves “knuckle-over” –Increase in cystic ovaries –Abortions, delayed estrus  Very poorly absorbed  Involved in enzyme systems  High Ca and P can increase req.  Deficiency –Deformed calves “knuckle-over” –Increase in cystic ovaries –Abortions, delayed estrus

Zinc (Zn)  Enzyme function  Effects repro; esp. males –Late stage spermatozoa  Enzyme function  Effects repro; esp. males –Late stage spermatozoa

Iodine (I)  Component of thyroid hormones  Goitrogenic compounds may increase need  Foot Rot  Component of thyroid hormones  Goitrogenic compounds may increase need  Foot Rot

Consumption  Salt level (don’t feed separately)  MgO level  Water in forage  Location  Man!  Salt level (don’t feed separately)  MgO level  Water in forage  Location  Man!

FAQ’s Do they need minerals on grass? Is white salt adequate? Is “red” salt better? Should I mix my own? What “extras” are needed? (vitamins, additives, chelates) What should I feed? Do they need minerals on grass? Is white salt adequate? Is “red” salt better? Should I mix my own? What “extras” are needed? (vitamins, additives, chelates) What should I feed?

FAQ’s Answers

Is mineral supplementation needed on grass? –YES Is mineral supplementation needed on grass? –YES

FAQ’s Answers Is white salt adequate? –NO Is white salt adequate? –NO

FAQ’s Answers Is “red” salt better? –NO Yellow salt? –NO Is “red” salt better? –NO Yellow salt? –NO

FAQ’s Answers Can I mix my own? –Probably not! (Dealing with parts per million.) Can I mix my own? –Probably not! (Dealing with parts per million.)

FAQ’s Answers What extras are needed? –Vitamins?A –Additives?Maybe –Chelates?Maybe What extras are needed? –Vitamins?A –Additives?Maybe –Chelates?Maybe

“Organic” vs. Inorganic Minerals Absorbed by a different system Use in the presence of antagonists Better at immune stimulation Absorbed by a different system Use in the presence of antagonists Better at immune stimulation

FAQ’s Answers What should I feed for grazing beef cattle?

Beef Formula Not intended for – Goats – Sheep – Dairy (especially Jerseys) Not intended for – Goats – Sheep – Dairy (especially Jerseys)

Basic (3 oz Intake) Gestating Cow 11kg intake Fescue Analysis (%) Amount (g) in 11 kg Forage Availability, % Total Available from Fescue Ca P Mg K S Fe Mn Zn Cu I Se Co

Basic (3 oz Intake) Supplemental Mineral Analysis (%) Amount (g) in 85 g (3 oz.) Total Mineral Intake (g) % Requirement Ca P Mg K S Fe Mn Zn Cu I Se Co

Pre and Early Lactation - Mag (4 oz) Cow 11kg intake Fescue Analysis (%) Amount (g) in 11 kg Forage Availability, % Total Available from Fescue Ca P Mg K S Fe Mn Zn Cu I Se Co

Pre and Early Lactation - Mag (4 oz) Supplemental Mineral Analysis (%) Amount (g) in 113 g (4 oz.) Total Mineral Intake (g) % Requiremen t Ca P Mg K S Fe Mn Zn Cu I Se Co

Cow/Herd Mineral Supplement Basic (3 oz)Pre & Early Lactation (4 oz) Ca 12 P 66.5 Mg 215 K 0.5 S 0.8 Fe 0.1 Mn Zn Cu I Se Co

CTC ?? Only one approved formula for free-choice feeding - an outside company owns the rights to that Anaplaz - use commercially available products Only one approved formula for free-choice feeding - an outside company owns the rights to that Anaplaz - use commercially available products

Minerals for Meat Goats Minerals [(Ca, P) (Cu, Zn, Se)] Vitamins (A, D, E) Minerals [(Ca, P) (Cu, Zn, Se)] Vitamins (A, D, E)

Mineral Requirements for Mature Meat Goat ElementsGestationLactation Calcium, % DM Phosphorus, % DM Magnesium, % DM Potassium, % DM Sodium, % DM Sulfur, % DM.15 Based on Nutrient Requirements of Goats NRC, 1981, 1986 Beef NRC, Goat Medicine, Smith, M. C., Sherman, D.M. 1994

Trace Mineral Requirements for Mature Meat Goat ElementsGestationLactation Cobalt, ppm.10 Copper, ppm10 Iodine, ppm.50 Iron, ppm50 Manganese, ppm40 Selenium, ppm0.3 Zinc, ppm30 Based on Nutrient Requirements of Goats NRC, 1981, 1986 Beef NRC, Goat Medicine, Smith, M. C., Sherman, D.M. 1994

Trace mineral Formulation for Mature Meat Goat Grazing Tall Fescue Estimated Daily IntakeOne OuncesTwo Ounces Cobalt, ppm22 Copper, ppm2062 Iodine, ppm109 Manganese, ppm7700 Selenium, ppm52 Zinc, ppm4511 Based on Nutrient Requirements of Goats NRC, 1981, 1986 Beef NRC, Goat Medicine, Smith, M. C., Sherman, D.M. 1994

Vitamin A – 400,000 IUs/lb D – 400 IUs/lb E – 400 IUs/lb A – 400,000 IUs/lb D – 400 IUs/lb E – 400 IUs/lb

Copper Toxicity In Goats Meat goats may be more susceptible than dairy goats.

Toxicity: Levels of Dietary Intake Cattle dietary levels > 100 ppm Goats (?) Sheep dietary levels ppm Cattle dietary levels > 100 ppm Goats (?) Sheep dietary levels ppm

Toxicity: Symptoms Acute anorexia Severe hemolytic anemia (brownish blood) Respiratory distress Jaundice (yellowing eyes and membranes Dark and pasty fecal material animal may look dirty “Ok yesterday, but dead today” Acute anorexia Severe hemolytic anemia (brownish blood) Respiratory distress Jaundice (yellowing eyes and membranes Dark and pasty fecal material animal may look dirty “Ok yesterday, but dead today”

Types of Toxicity Acute – –usually mistake in feed or mineral mix –goats found old bag of Cu-pesticide Chronic - –Occurs due to slow accumulation for 2 weeks to 1 year Acute – –usually mistake in feed or mineral mix –goats found old bag of Cu-pesticide Chronic - –Occurs due to slow accumulation for 2 weeks to 1 year

How does this happen? Fat, over fed goats are most susceptible Complete feeds based on 2.5 lbs/day intake –2.5 lbs = 90 ppm –50% absorption 45 ppm/d But they eat more than that + mineral (fc) Fat, over fed goats are most susceptible Complete feeds based on 2.5 lbs/day intake –2.5 lbs = 90 ppm –50% absorption 45 ppm/d But they eat more than that + mineral (fc)

Minerals for Sheep Specifically for sheep Free-choice, year-round Specifically for sheep Free-choice, year-round

Minerals for Sheep Spring & Summer (high quality clover) –Trace Mineral Salt (TMS) w/ Selenium Rest of Year –Complete mineral mix Spring & Summer (high quality clover) –Trace Mineral Salt (TMS) w/ Selenium Rest of Year –Complete mineral mix

Minerals for Sheep Concern: Copper Toxicity Sheep more sensitive than cattle Result of accumulation in liver over time Generally Sheep require about 5 ppm Copper (Cu) in diet; toxicity at levels above 25 ppm in diet Cu:MO ratio is important If MO is low (<1ppm) sheep are more susceptible Concern: Copper Toxicity Sheep more sensitive than cattle Result of accumulation in liver over time Generally Sheep require about 5 ppm Copper (Cu) in diet; toxicity at levels above 25 ppm in diet Cu:MO ratio is important If MO is low (<1ppm) sheep are more susceptible

Minerals for Sheep Problem: Distiller’s grains and Soybean Meal (SBM) can be variable in Cu Problem: Distiller’s grains and Soybean Meal (SBM) can be variable in Cu