Background
As summer quickly approaches, many cattle producers are starting to move cows into summer pastures where calving and/or breeding will occur. It is important to provide the cows a complete mineral program through the summer months. Cows are continuing to calve or breed in the early summer months when mineral and vitamin levels have yet to be established in the pastures grass sources. Providing a complete mineral program will ensure the cows have access to micro and macronutrients as well as vitamins, which are essential during the calving and breeding periods.
Here are a few tips to consider when managing your summer mineral program:
Mineral Feeder Location and Number of Feeders
It is important that mineral feeders are placed in a strategic location to ensure that cattle have plenty of access. Mineral feeders should be placed near the water source as that is a high traffic area. This also allows the producer to efficiently observe both, the mineral feeder and water source when checking pastures. If the cattle are over consuming mineral, moving the mineral feeder out of a high traffic area may be necessary. This will decrease the intake levels because the cattle are no longer passing by the mineral feeder when travelling to the water source.
Ensuring that all cattle have equal access to mineral is very important. More then one mineral feeder per pasture may be necessary on large groups. It is important that you have one mineral feeder for 30-40 cows, allowing for equal consumption. “Boss cows” may also guard the mineral feeder and may prevent other cows from consuming mineral, this is a great reason why more then one mineral feeder may be necessary.
Mineral Palatability and Water Quality
Choosing a summer mineral that is palatable is very important to ensure the cattle are consuming the required amount. Conversing with a consultant ahead of time may be necessary to distinguish a quality mineral that is intended for summer grazing use. Certain ingredients are not as palatable as others; therefore, it may cause cattle to turn their nose up at the mineral as they do not prefer the smell or taste. It is also important to determine that the mineral does not contain Monensin if being fed free choice because this ingredient is not certified by CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) when feeding mineral free choice. Also specify that there is not added urea in the mineral as there can be serious health affects on the cattle when over consumed on a free choice basis.
Determining the water quality can be a great starting point when choosing a complete summer mineral program. Collecting a water sample and having it analyzed by a certified lab will determine the quality of the water. The analysis will clarify factors such as: water hardness, pH, sulfates, coliform bacteria, and total dissolved solids. All factors that could affect the mineral package being absorbed by the cow. If there are issues with the water, it may be necessary to utilize organic trace minerals to increase the mineral absorption.
-Brayden Schmidt, Beef Advisor