The trace mineral status of our cows and calves is a significant challenge for western Canadian producers and veterinarians.
Tag Archives Dietary minerals
Beef cattle more prone to trace mineral deficiencies
Animal Health: A recent study showed connections between some trace mineral deficiencies and disease
Good mineral-vitamin programs for beef cows drive successful reproduction
Better Bunks and Pastures: A breeder mineral is critical for beef cows during the breeding season
Cow-calf producers will want to prepare a breeder mineral program to be fed to beef cows during breeding season, then be ready to modify that program afterward based on actual grass conditions.
Strategic use of chelated minerals makes financial sense
Dairy Corner: There are specific cases where chelated minerals should be used in dairy diets
In the last couple of years, I’ve noticed most dairy lactation diets contain a fortified level of chelated trace minerals. When I ask dairy producers why they feed them over conventional ones, they often say they don’t know or their nutritionist thinks it’s a good idea. There is nothing technically wrong with feeding chelated trace […] Read more
How to manage beef cow summer mineral intake
Better Bunks and Pastures: Most solutions are found with common sense and changing practices
A long time ago, I helped a producer feed loose mineral to his herd of 60 beef cows. It was at the start of summer and during their breeding season. We’d just rip open a couple of bags and pour the mineral into an old wooden crate near a full dugout of drinking water. Often, […] Read more
Take care of first-calf beef cows after calving
Keep them separate from older cows and a different ration could make sense
Despite some market volatility, the good value of all cattle is holding for the time being. That’s a good thing because last year, many cow-calf operators bred more replacement heifers that are now calving or about to calve. Some of these producers told me they throw them into their main cowherd if they are big […] Read more
Six areas you should watch to maintain your cows’ fertility
High-quality forage and the right mineral package at the right time can set cows up for success
As a rancher and a senior forage specialist with Union Forage, Graeme Finn has spent much of his time looking into how feeding cattle affects their fertility. He says it was something drilled into him as a child in Australia. “My grandmother always said, ‘Feed the cattle good at breeding time,’ because that’s when you […] Read more
Providing proper mineral mix the first step to meet cattle nutrient needs
It's one thing to put it out there, but another to make sure they eat it
Many commercial cattle minerals can be fed on a free-choice basis to gestating beef cows until calving. But even the best of these products fail if cows don’t eat enough, or engorge themselves. Mineral intake problems must be corrected quickly so cows can either maintain or build a mineral (and vitamin) status which contributes to […] Read more
Zinc is a powerful trace mineral for cattle
From breeding to good feet it plays an important role
Recently, I was talking to a feed mill operator I occasionally do some beef nutritional work, and he told me many customers are requesting the best level of zinc added into their cattle mineral. We realize many pastures and harvested forage from this summer’s drought might likely be zinc-stressed, so we made sure to formulate […] Read more
Trace minerals directly affect unborn calves
If the cow isn’t getting sufficient minerals calf development and strength suffers
Within the next few months, there will be a lot of newborn calves on the ground. Fair- to good-quality forage is quite plentiful this year and grain is a reasonable price, so most of the cow herds I have seen across Western Canada this winter are in good body condition for calving. But one area […] Read more
Elements of a “good” winter mineral
Cow-calf mineral requirements vary with time of year
It won’t be long before most cow-calf operators will be bring their cow herd home from pasture to overwinter. They should also be shopping for a good beef cow mineral. I think of a “good” overwintering cow mineral as one that helps meet the mineral and vitamin requirements of the early- to mid-gestating beef cow […] Read more
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