Missouri Ag Connection - Mineral Supplements Should be Nutrition, Not Tradition

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Mineral Supplements Should be Nutrition, Not Tradition
Missouri Ag Connection - 07/29/2010

It is not very often that a cattle producer calls an MU Extension office with a mineral question after taking the time and money to test the mineral content of his pasture.

But when that does happen, Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension, says it is a lot easier to accurately answer producer's questions.

"I see all types of mineral supplements being fed and most mineral purchases are based on tradition rather than nutritional need," said Cole. "But with this caller, the lab revealed that his fescue and clover pasture had adequate levels of the major minerals, calcium and phosphorus for most classes of breeding cattle."

Cole said there were even adequate amounts present for stocker steers and heifers that were weighing 400 to 700 pounds and gaining 1.5 to 2 pounds per day.

"There is a lot of concern over trace or minor minerals but in this farmer's situation a basic trace mineral should meet his cattle's supplement needs. Of course adequate availability of pasture is needed to meet those needs," said Cole.

The three trace minerals that are borderline in southwest Missouri forages normally are copper, zinc and selenium.

"The lab results on the fescue-clover pasture showed a copper level of 9 parts per million (ppm) and the recommended level is 10 ppm. Zinc levels in the forage were 34 ppm with 30 ppm being the recommended level for both breeding and stocker cattle," said Cole.

Since Selenium was not detectable in the fescue-clover sample it would be best to use a selenium-containing supplement.

"Most mineral supplements contain some selenium and should cover any deficiency that might be in the forage. The selenium requirement for all classes of cattle is 0.10 ppm. The maximum tolerable level is 2 ppm," said Cole.

The other minerals analyzed by the lab included magnesium, potassium, sulfur, iron and manganese. They were all within the acceptable level range.

According to Cole, mineral levels can fluctuate depending on the growing season.

"Maintaining legumes in a grass pasture improves the forage mineral profile as does proper grazing management so mature forage is not being consumed. In these cases it is possible only salt may be necessary as supplement," said Cole.

Since the mineral analysis expense at the lab runs more than a routine energy-protein test ($18 vs. $45), few samples of forage mineral content come through an extension office.

"However, if you wish to check out the mineral content of your forages, check with your nearest extension livestock specialist. The results could save money in the long run," said Cole.

For more information, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mt. Vernon, (417) 466-3102 or Dona Goede in Cedar County, (417) 276-3313.