There are different kinds of vitamin and mineral supplements for cattle. Some are organic, and others are not. Here’s a breakdown of how they differ, and the reasons why your cattle may need them. For more information, see our case studies on mineral deficiency. We will also discuss microminerals and macrominerals and provide a case study of mineral deficiency in beef cattle. Then, we’ll go into a bit more detail.
Contents
Microminerals
Choosing the right cattle vitamin and mineral supplements is vital to the efficiency of reproduction, the production of milk, and overall health of the animals. While a high-quality forage or feed will provide many of the minerals needed by cattle, supplementation will make up for the missing amounts. The main microminerals to be considered are zinc, copper, cobalt, and selenium. Some microminerals are more important for cattle than others, so the right choice will depend on the specific needs of your herd.
Beef cattle need about 10 different microminerals to maintain good health. Of these minerals, three are likely to be deficient in forages. Copper sulfate or tribasic copper chloride are recommended for supplementation. Zinc is another essential mineral that must be included in cattle feed to improve immunity, skin, and hoof health. Copper oxide is ineffective and will not help cattle absorb iron, zinc, and selenium.
Macrominerals
Cattle can get all of their necessary vitamins and minerals naturally from pasture, but they may need additional support in certain areas. Some cattle suffer from vitamin deficiency and require mineral and vitamin supplements. For example, cattle lacking vitamin A may experience impaired sperm production, birth of weak calves, or retained placentas. A qualified animal nutritionist can recommend the correct mineral and vitamin supplements to improve performance and ensure the health of your herd.
When selecting a vitamin and mineral supplement, remember that minerals differ in bioavailability. Some minerals are more readily available in the body than others, so be sure to read the label carefully. There are seven macrominerals that cattle need to remain healthy. Some work together, while others are more easily lost in stress or after a meal. Always make sure to choose a mineral that matches the mineral requirements of your herd.
Organic minerals
Trace minerals, like zinc, are essential for many functions in cattle. They can be obtained from both organic and inorganic sources and are best provided in a mineral formulation for improved gut absorption and bioavailability. Because cattle cannot get these minerals from forages alone, their diets need more assistance than they can receive from forages alone. Standard minerals generally contain inorganic trace minerals and organic mineral formulations meet the needs of cattle by providing these important components for overall health, performance, and reproduction.
While organic minerals are generally more expensive than inorganic minerals, the increase in performance must be enough to justify the additional expense. Organic minerals have shown promising results when given to cattle undergoing nutritional stress and improving reproductive efficiency in breeding females. They also reduced morbidity and mortality in newly weaned calves. However, their use in cattle nutrition is limited to certain situations. Organic minerals are typically fed in cows two months before calving through breeding. Zinc methionine may also be fed continuously throughout the feeding period.
Case studies of mineral deficiency in beef cattle
Trace mineral deficiencies in beef cattle are not uncommon, but it is important to know what to look for to detect them. The researchers at the Prairie Diagnostic Services studied samples submitted from 2003 to 2012, and determined the mineral concentrations and deficiency levels for each of the minerals. They found that the most common deficiencies were copper, magnesium, zinc, cobalt, and selenium. In addition, there was also an imbalance in zinc and selenium.
The soil type had an impact on mineral content, with lower deficiencies in the dark gray soil zone and higher values in the dark brown soil zone. However, no correlation was found between soil type and trace mineral deficiencies. In the case of Cu, the dark gray soil zone showed higher values, but the muskeg zone had lower values. The liver also exhibited higher Fe content. The findings suggest that soil type influences mineral content.
Cost of mineral supplements for beef cattle
If you’re raising cattle for beef production, you’re probably wondering how much mineral supplements for beef cattle cost. While the total cost may not seem that high, it is worth the cost to provide these animals with the nutrients they need. The typical mineral mix contains 14 to 22 percent salt, magnesium, and other trace minerals, as well as B vitamins and chelated iron. Cattle need minerals to stay healthy, but dietary deficiencies in these areas are very common.
Depending on the needs of your cattle, mineral supplements may be beneficial in different ways. For instance, they might need a larger amount of calcium than usual, so they may need to supplement more calcium than normal. However, if they’re given a buffet-style mineral supplement, they won’t eat as much of each mineral as they should. By giving your cattle a single mineral supplement, you’ll avoid the expense of buying multiple mineral mixes.
