Mineral & Vitamin Supplementation for Beef Cattle on Pasture

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 Minerals & Vitamins ProteinTDN Per Day, lb Percent of Total31384

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 content of forages are affected by many factors –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

Macro Minerals in Beef Cattle Diets Calcium (Ca) Phosphorus (P) Magnesium (Mg) Potassium (K) Sodium (Na) Chlorine (Cl) Sulfur (S)

Micro Minerals in Beef Cattle Diets Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Copper (Cu) Selenium (Se) Zinc (Zn) Iodine (I) Cobalt (Co) Molybdenum (Mo)

Macro Mineral Deficiencies of Arkansas Hay Samples

Micro Mineral Deficiencies of Arkansas Hay Samples

What Levels Are Needed in A Supplement? 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.

Mineral supplement for intermediate quality pasture Typical forage test Phosphorus0.20 Intake (oz/hd/d)24 Calcium (Ca) % Phosphorus (P) % Potassium (K) % --- Magnesium (Mg) %42 Salt %10-25 Sulfur (S) %0-3 Iron (Fe) ppm--- Manganese (Mn) ppm Zinc (Zn) ppm Copper (Cu) ppm Iodine (I) ppm10050 Selenium (Se) ppm4020 Cobalt (Co) ppm3015

Vitamins 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

Read the Label!

Example Mineral #1

Example Mineral #2 Intake = 4 oz

Example Mineral #3

Additional Considerations 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.

Additional Considerations 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

In Summary 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