Protein blocks for cattle are a great way to give your cattle a boost in health and vitality. They are easy to administer and can be found in many different forms. The only thing to remember is to make sure they are properly balanced and that they contain all of the nutrients your cattle need. If they are not, it can have a detrimental effect on their growth and development.
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Salt is the only mineral that cattle crave
A large part of cattle nutrition involves the correct intake of minerals. There are several ways to improve the amount and quality of mineral your cattle consume.
The best way to increase mineral intake is to offer the proper mix of minerals. This can be done through loose or block mineral supplements. Blocks allow for more accurate measurement of intake and help prevent overconsumption of minerals.
For cattle fed on a high-concentrate diet, salt may be a limiting factor. However, cattle on a more complete ration may have lower salt requirements.
Salt is a nutrient that has a wide range of uses. It plays a role in muscle and nervous system function and is necessary for regulation of pH levels in the body. Sodium is also a key component of the fluids in the body.
Calcium and phosphorus
The ratio of calcium and phosphorus should be at least two to one in beef cattle diets. This ratio is usually higher in pastures and legumes than in grains and grasses.
Calcium is an important component of bone and nerve tissue. It interacts directly with Vitamin D and phosphorus. In addition, it is necessary for growth and reproduction. Cattle need adequate calcium to avoid milk fever.
Cows with poor conception rates are often deficient in calcium and phosphorus. They may also experience weak heats, delayed puberty, and weight loss. Adding minerals and supplements can help prevent this problem.
Phosphorus is usually a more expensive macronutrient than other nutrients. However, it is important to remember that the cost of phosphorus can vary depending on its availability.
Sodium and chlorine
Beef cattle require seventeen different minerals. Most primary mineral deficiencies occur when the diet is deficient in magnesium. Mineral supplementation can prevent these problems.
In addition to the 17 required minerals, cattle also need iodine, iron, selenium, and copper. These trace elements should be included in the diet.
The NRC published Nutrient Requirements for Beef Cattle, Sixth Edition. Calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur are required in larger amounts than most other macrominerals. Magnesium, on the other hand, is necessary in a smaller proportion.
Salt and chlorine are essential for many molecular bodily processes. They regulate the body’s pH, nervous system, water balance, and osmotic pressure. Chlorine is also needed in the respiratory gas exchange.
Commercial energy supplements can be in the form of liquid molasses or hard pressed grain-based blocks. The salt content in these concentrates ranges from 0.5 to 2 percent.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A has a role in immune functions. It is important for soft tissue maintenance, as well as bone development. Deficiency may result in increased disease incidence. During high stress situations, vitamin requirements may increase. In addition, the effects of vitamin A supplementation on the immune system are not fully understood.
In the current study, the effects of dietary protein and vitamin A were evaluated. The aims were to determine how protein and vitamin A affect the expression of the intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and TNF-a. Among the dietary treatments, higher levels of crude protein led to greater TNF-a and ICAM gene expression. However, diets did not affect serum levels of all-trans and 13-cis retinoic acid.
Angus steer calves were fed a combination of 0 and 150,000 IU of vitamin A at two months of age. Calves were then weighed and their muscle fiber composition was examined. Supplementation with vitamin A was associated with an increase in satellite cell density and muscle fiber type.
Trace minerals
Grazing beef cattle need supplemental protein and energy during certain times of the year. Those supplements can be fortified with trace minerals. Some forages are particularly good sources of trace minerals for cattle. However, it is important to know that a variety of factors can impact the supply of forages.
Injectable trace minerals are a convenient and effective way to meet the needs of cattle. Trace mineral requirements vary depending on many factors, including the forage species, the season, and the soil conditions.
Forage is the primary source of trace mineral supply for grazing cattle. However, the concentration of these minerals varies depending on a number of factors, including soil pH, fertilization, and the specie of the forage.
During the last several decades, trace mineral requirements for beef cattle have been minimally changed. The NRC updated its requirement to 20 mg/kg for growing cattle in the latest edition, while dietary concentrations for dairy cattle were set at 0.3 mg/kg.
