The Right Now� Mineral Solutions Guide
“My cattle don’t have to eat very much of the mineral they’re on, why should I switch to a product that they’ll eat more of?”
Answer: There are two primary challenges with low intake mineral supplements. The macro minerals, like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, are often needed in too large quantities to be met in a 2-ounce product. For example, we commonly need a mineral to provide 10 or more grams of phosphorus per day, yet if we use a 2-ounce product with 12% phosphorus, it will only provide 6.8 grams daily, leaving a deficit. That deficit can become very expensive if it results in fewer cows bred and poor calf growth rates. Addressing the concerns of these macro minerals is paramount to a sound nutritional program.
A second issue that is frequently observed with low intake products is control of consumption. Minerals themselves are essentially unpalatable rock. If cattle don’t eat enough, your investment will not yield acceptable rewards. In order to get cattle to consume the proper amount of mineral, it is necessary to add products that enhance flavor, yet also limit consumption. Without these, intake will be unreliable and benefits will be unpredictable. Nutrient gap analyses regularly confirm that 3-4 ounce consumption is required to fill the nutrient gaps between forage nutrient levels and cow requirements.
