Mineral SupplementationUpdate and Recommendations

Shane GadberryAssociate Professor

Department of Animal Science - Extension

Cost of Mineral Supplementation

Cost of Mineral Supplementation

Macro Minerals

Mineral NRC Bermuda Hay Fescue Hay

Ca, % 0.28 0.53 0.51

P, % 0.19 0.30 0.32

Na, % 0.10 0.04 0.03

K , % 0.70 1.98 2.01

Mg, % 0.20 0.22 0.25

S, % 0.15 0.30 0.20

Comments on major minerals

• Improved forages + good soil fertility– Good job with major mineral requirements– Exception is Sodium– Hypomagnesia {too good of job in Spring}

• Does sodium deficiency contribute to hypomagnesia? – March 27, 2012 [Beef Magazine]– Dr. Swerczek DVM PhD UK Dept of Vet Science

Trace Minerals

Mineral NRC Bermuda Hay Fescue Hay

Mn, ppm(poor absorption)

40 310 (66% CV) 145 (69% CV)

Cu, ppm(Fe, S, Mo)

10 11 (36% CV) 11 (39% CV)

Zn, ppm(not as well defined)

30 35 (41% CV) 35 (41% CV)

Effect of replacing inorganic with organic forms of Cu, Zn, Mn, and Se in Dairy Cows (Biol Trace

Elem Res 2012)

Form of trace mineral supplementation to 1st calf heifers (JAS 1999)

0.2 oz

1.3 oz0.7 oz

3.7 oz0.7 oz6.9 oz10.7 oz

Control – hay w/sbm+corn suppl. and no suppl TMRoughly equivalent to a 4 oz mineral containing 1100 ppm Cu, 200 ppm Co1750 ppm Mn and 3150 ppm Zn

Results

• Year 1 – organic mineral = later breeding and subsequent later calving

• Year 2 – no difference in breeding or subsequent calving date

• Combined years –mineral supplementation increased number of open cows

• No difference in cow wt, condition score or calf growth

Trace Mineral Suppl. - InjectionStudy Descriptor Response

Kegley et al (AR Anim Sci, 2011)

Injection 28d before weaning – calves given access to complete mineral

No effect on growth, hair coat or carcass measures

Richeson et al (AR Anim Sci, 2009)

Stocker injection on arrival 21% ADG over 55 d30% Morbidity

Gadberry and Simon (unpubished)

Cows - prebreeding and precalvingCalves – 90 d processing and pre-weaningNo other mineral suppl

No effect on BW, BCS, pregnancy rate, calf growth response, BVDV1 titers

Andrews and Gadberry(unpublished)

Stocker calves – given upon arrival calves weighed Feb and End of March

No difference in gain

Comments on Trace Minerals

• No conclusive evidence for use of organic forms in mature cow herd

• No conclusive evidence for use of injectable TM in mature cow herd

• Receiving cattle may be more likely to respond to injectable TM supplementation than cattle retained on farm