Ranchers know the importance of getting cows bred is the best way to ensure success in their operation. And mineral intake is a vital part of ensuring herd nutrition and maintaining reproductive health.
“Free choice loose mineral is considered the best form of mineral supplement in grazing beef cattle,” Dr. Bob Judd, host of Texas Vet News on the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Radio Network, said.
He recommends using loose mineral as the most cost efficient channel to deliver adequate vitamins, because cattle do not consume enough from block minerals to meet their needs, Judd said.
“Although many ranchers still feed mineral blocks, they are not a good idea because they are so hard that very rarely can a cow lick enough of the block to get the minerals they need,” he said.
During the summer, cattle will readily eat the supplements but may eat much less in the winter.
Judd says to encourage cattle to eat the correct amount, ranchers can mix mineral supplement with cottonseed meal or soy hulls at a 1-to-1 ratio.
Color is not important in deciding which mineral to choose. The red color added to minerals, Judd noted, is achieved by using iron oxide, which has little nutritional value.
He also advises ranchers to stay away from high salt and high calcium levels.
“Organic trace minerals are expensive and usually only required a month before calving and during rebreeding,” Judd said.
Judd’s program can be heard daily online and on TFB Radio Network affiliate stations.