Mineral & VitaminSupplementationfor 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 CowNutrient Requirement

Minerals &

VitaminsProtein TDN

Per Day, lb. 0.4 2.1 13.2

Percent of Total 3 13 84

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 ofArkansas Hay Samples

0102030405060708090

100

Per

cen

t

Lact. Cow

500 lb calf

Micro Mineral Deficiencies of Arkansas Hay Samples

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Per

cen

t

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 pastureTypical forage test Phosphorus 0.20Intake (oz/hd/d) 2 4Calcium (Ca) % 12.8-19.2 10-12Phosphorus (P) % 8-12 4-6Potassium (K) %   ---Magnesium (Mg) % 4 2Salt % 10-25 10-25Sulfur (S) % 0-3 0-3Iron (Fe) ppm --- ---Manganese (Mn) ppm 4000 2000Zinc (Zn) ppm 8000 4000Copper (Cu) ppm 2500 1250Iodine (I) ppm 100 50Selenium (Se) ppm 40 20Cobalt (Co) ppm 30 15

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