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As
cattle producers enter the spring, they do so with great anticipation of
a successful year. This year though, brings about several concerns for
beef producers throughout the state. Farmers are and always will be
concerned about weather conditions that either makes a successful or, as
in last year, an unsuccessful crop.
This
year brings about a new set of challenges due to the increased cost of
inputs. What fertilizer to use and how much will it cost, how much will
it cost for fuel, where can I save money on input cost, and how much
will cattle be worth this fall? These are all questions discussed over
many cups of coffee this spring. As a cattle producer, you have to make
tough decisions this year to remain in the cattle business.
What
I feel will be the biggest question this spring is how do I save money
without sacrificing performance in my cattle herd? As we look at input
cost in a cattle herd we find producers spend money on fuel, fertilizer,
hay production, mineral and vitamin supplementation, parasite control
and feed. When we look at these costs,
I
am fearful some producers will try to save money based on decreasing or
eliminating the mineral and vitamin supplementation program in their
herd. While this may seem to be a cost saving measure, this practice
could have a detrimental long term effect on your cattle herd in the
area of reproduction and immunity.
Mineral
and vitamin supplementation is essential for acceptable performance in
cattle. When considering a complete supplement, we must understand what
makes up a complete supplementation program. Minerals are broken into
two categories: macro and micros. Macro minerals make up the largest
percent of a mineral because they also make up the largest percent of
the mineral composition of the animal’s body.
Macro
minerals are: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, potassium,
magnesium and sulfur. Micro minerals make up the smallest portion of a
mineral supplement because they make up the smallest amount in the
mineral composition of an animal.
Micro
minerals are copper, cobalt, zinc, iron, selenium, iodine, manganese,
molybdenum and fluorine. Let’s look at the role each of these minerals
play in the overall health and well being of the animal.
Calcium
is very important in bone and teeth formation, nerve function and milk
production. It is one of the least expensive ingredients in a complete
mineral mix. This means is the higher the calcium level in the mineral
the expected cost of the mineral would be less. Calcium and phosphorus
work together in absorption and utilization. There must be more calcium
than phosphorus in the overall diet of the animal or phosphorus will
bind calcium making it highly unavailable in the cow’s diet. A good
mineral supplement will run between 15 and 18 percent calcium.
Phosphorus
is also very important in the formation of bone. It plays an important
role in reproduction and proper cell balance. Phosphorus is an expensive
ingredient in most mineral supplements and will be at sub-standard
levels in minerals that are lower priced to the producer. Phosphorus
levels should run from four to eight percent in good quality
supplements.
Sodium
is very important as a major cation of extracellular fluid where it is
involved in osmotic pressure and acid-base equilibrium, preservation of
normal muscle cell irritability, and cell permeability. Salt provides
both sodium and chlorine in a mineral supplement. Salt is also
relatively inexpensive and should run from 20 to 25 percent.
Chlorine
is a major anion involved in osmotic pressure and acid base balance
along with aiding in the digestion process. Like sodium, chlorine is
added to most supplements in the form of salt.
Magnesium
is very important as an enzyme activator primarily in the area of energy
production. It also plays a key role in the prevention of grass tetany
during the spring. Magnesium is an expensive ingredient in the
formulation of a mineral supplement. It is also very bitter and when fed
at high levels during non-grass tetany times can lead to a decrease in
consumption leaving your cattle deficient in other minerals. Most
minerals will be at least two percent magnesium and up to 14 percent
magnesium in high magnesium mineral supplements. Pay extra attention to
the magnesium and phosphorus levels in minerals this year. Some mineral
companies might sacrifice one of these two minerals in a cost cutting
effort.
Potassium
is a major cation of intracellular fluid where it is involved in osmotic
pressure and muscle activity.
Sulfur
is very essential in sulfur-containing amino acids that are the building
blocks for protein. It also plays a key role in tissue respiration and
serves a component of biotin and thiamine.
This
is a quick overview of the macro minerals a producer should be concerned
with when selecting the proper mineral supplementation for your cattle.
The
micro minerals and their functions are as follows:
Iron
is very important in blood formation and cellular respiration.
Copper
is very important in hemoglobin synthesis, enzyme systems, maintenance
of nerves and hair pigmentation. Alabama is a copper deficient area and
research is available promoting the increased levels of copper in
mineral supplements. Look at a mineral supplement that is at least 1,500
parts per million (ppm) copper.
Zinc
is very important in immunity along with hoof integrity. It is also
important in the development of bone and hair.
Manganese
is utilized as an enzyme activator, growth, reproduction and cholesterol
metabolism.
Cobalt
is a component of B vitamins and is needed by rumen bacteria for growth
and reproductive performance.
Selenium
is regulated by the FDA and can only be provided at the rate of three
milligrams (mg) per head per day. Any mineral supplement higher than 26
ppm selenium will have a lower consumption rate than those supplying 26
ppm in the total supplement.
Iodine
is important in the formation of thyroxin and is also very important in
immunity.
Molybdenum
is important in microbial activity.
Fluorine
is important in protecting teeth against decay.
As
you can see, all of these minerals work together to assure the cattle
are performing and reproducing at an adequate level. Cattle deficient in
any of these minerals may show signs of depressed immunity, slow
reproductive performance, poor milk production and reduced feed
efficiency. All of these areas will have a direct impact on the
bottom-line of your cattle herd. Remember University researches have
shown the importance of ALL of these minerals to be included in the
diets of cattle at a level to meet the daily requirements of the animal.
A supplement not including adequate levels of these minerals will have a
direct impact on your cattle herd.
It
is also important to note most mineral problems will show up later than
sooner. This meaning when you least expect a problem you may find less
calves in your pasture due to a reproduction problem. So while it might
seem this would be an area to potentially save some money this year, it
would cost more in the long run than what small saving you will see.
There
are some things you can do to help save cost on your minerals. Only
purchase minerals meeting the exact needs of your cattle. For example,
there is no need to purchase a mineral high in magnesium during
non-grass tetany times of the year. I would also suggest you make sure
to keep minerals out at all times assuring consistent intake and a
consistent cost of less than 10 cents per head per day.
A
good/complete mineral supplement should contain highly available sources
of these minerals at the recommended levels. A mixture of sulfates and
oxides along with chelated trace minerals will be more available to your
animal assuring utilization by the body. While lower available minerals
might be at a lower cost, if the animal can’t utilize it, then it does
not matter what the cost of the mineral. Also remember trace mineral
salt will not meet the daily mineral requirements for your cattle other
than for sodium and chlorine.
Review
of the levels needed in a good cattle mineral for Alabama cattle
producers:
Calcium:
15 to 20%
Phosphorus: 4 to 8%
Sodium/chlorine (salt): 20 to 25%
Magnesium: 2 to 4%; 14% during grass tetany season
Sulfur: 1 to 2%
Potassium: 1 to 2%
Copper: 1,500 ppm
Zinc: 3,000 to 4,000 ppm
Iodine: 60 to 100 ppm
Selenium: 26 ppm
I
hope this information provides some assistance in your decision making
process. If I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me at jimmyh@alafarm.com
or 256-947-7886.
Jimmy
Hughes is AFC’s animal nutritionist. |
