By Uniblock Team • 16th Oct 24

Beef Cattle Mineral Requirements

Mineral deficiencies can present themselves in various ways, some more noticeable than others. Panic usually sets in when we see major problems such as fertility issues or even worse mortalities. Minerals have an important role to play in the overall health of cattle and proper prevention with the correct supplementation at the right time can help avoid these pitfalls.

Beef cattle depend on a minimum of 17 different minerals, these are divided into macro and micro minerals.

Macro-minerals are required in large quantities and are generally expressed on a percent dry matter (% DM) basis in an animal’s ration. Whereas microminerals/trace elements are needed in smaller amounts and often expressed on labels as ppm (parts per million), or mg/kg.

Macro-minerals

· Calcium (Ca)

· Magnesium (Mg)

· Phosphorus (P)

· Potassium (K)

· Sodium (Na)

· Chlorine (Cl)

· Sulphur (S)

Microminerals (Trace elements)

· Chromium (Cr)

· Cobalt (Co)

· Copper (Cu)

· Iodine (I)

· Iron (Fe)

· Manganese (Mn)

· Selenium (Se)

· Zinc (Zn).

Minerals are essential for numerous functions including skeletal development, immunity, production, nervous system maintenance and overall metabolism. Minerals are complex in that they interact with other minerals and vitamins which can limit availability or absorption in some cases. For example, it may look like there is plenty of copper in the cows’ diet, however there is high levels of molybdenum/sulphur/iron and all these bind copper up and make it less available for the animal.

Analysing the forage source regularly is of high value when it comes to mineral supplementation. Year on year this will deviate as the weather can have a knock-on effect on nutrients available. Several macro and trace elements are usually in short supply if grazing alone without any other form of supplementation. It is also important to note that cows cannot store magnesium in their body and require daily intakes to meet their requirements.

Take note of where the animal is in her cycle. She will go through the following important stages:

· Gestation

· Calving

· Rebreeding

It is crucial to recognise what the animal needs at the correct timepoint as her mineral requirements do fluctuate depending on what her body needs to successfully fulfil its role at that stage.

To complicate things further, not all minerals are equal. Knowing the source of the mineral you are feeding is essential. Types are broken down into inorganic and organic. Some may be more familiar with the term chelated and this is your organic mineral. These tend to be more expensive, but they are also more available to the animal.

Placement of mineral buckets is also key. For optimum intakes place the minerals near a water source to ensure cattle find it easily.

Providing adequate space is also important, generally allocating one bucket per 10-15 cattle allows for good intakes. Ensuring buckets are monitored and replaced when necessary is also significant.

Keeping on top of mineral supplementation for beef cattle will optimise productivity and overall health and welfare status of the herd. Unfortunately, it is not a one plan fits all farms type scenario as every diet will be different. Cattle mineral needs change by season whether they are grazing or in the house and whether cattle are growing or finishing or what stage of gestation or lactation they are at.