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The Midwest Cattleman · April 22, 2021 · P22
MINERAL SELECTING
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forage consumption and cows in November increased
then a place to input the profitability of the system
amount of mineral the cows (2016 Nebraska Beef Cattle
are expected to consume. Report, pp 11-13). However,
From there, a table is pro- instead of retaining and feed-
vided showing you the dif- ing open cull cows months
ference between “what they after preg checking to market
are getting” and “what they later, there may be an addi-
need”. tional management decision
As an example, the figure to consider for producers to
shows the nutritive balance make to increase profitability.
table for 1,200 pound lactat- Shortened breeding and
ing beef cows grazing lush calving periods may be opti-
spring tallgrass prairie for- mum for one side of the pro-
age and consuming 3.3 ounc- duction system; however, it
es per day of a commercial may lead to decreased reve-
mineral supplement. You nue potential in other parts
can quickly view the sta- of the system. In contrast to
tus indicators in the right a shorter breeding/calving pe-
column to determine where riod, a longer breeding season
major gaps or excesses exist. provides more opportunities
In this example, these cows for cows to become pregnant.
are projected to be about 7 that these cows could use an identified in this example. For instance, previous re-
grams per day short of so- additional 15 grams of salt Most mineral balance exer- search at UNL (Deutscher et
dium. Since salt contains or about 0.5 ounce per day. cises in Oklahoma are going al., 1991) reported pregnancy
40% sodium, this suggests There are several excesses to reveal excessive potassi- rates were 84, 89, and 94% for
um and excessive iron due 30-, 45-, and 70-day breeding
to high forage concentration season lengths, respectively.
of both minerals. The other This does lead to an increased
revelation in this balance calving period and increased
exercise is the considerable distribution of calf weights
excess of selenium. Thus, the at weaning the subsequent
conclusion of this exercise is year. However, extending the
that a) this mineral supple- breeding season creates an
ment is a good complement opportunity to sell cows that
to this forage source for this would have potentially been
time of year and b) one could sold as open cull cows as preg-
blend about 10 to 15% salt nant, later calving cows. Sell-
with the mineral to better ing late bred cows in the fall
match the sodium require- may be an option to increase
ment with intake and c) revenue without increasing
the selenium concentration input expenses while main-
in the commercial product taining a tighter calving pe-
could be reduced by about riod the subsequent year.
50% if that were an option. Pregnancy detection can be
It most definitely points out done as early as 30 days post
that there is no need to pur- breeding, but for most herds
chase mineral product con- pregnancy checking is done at
taining a greater concentra- weaning which is 3-5 months
tion of selenium. after the start of the breed-
Consider collecting forage ing season. By extending the
mineral composition data breeding season by another
and mineral supplement 30 days, cows are given one
consumption data sever- more estrus cycle to become
al years in a row to see the bred and still be in the win-
Henderson Feed & Vet, LLC variation (or maybe the con- dow of pregnancy detection
BVDV PI TESTING and sistency) of those patterns at weaning. Additionally, ex-
over time. Finally, use that
BOVINE PREGNANCY TESTING valuable information to con- tending the breeding season
to rebreeding cull cows for
(Accurate at 28 days!) duct mineral balance exer- fall markets can offer the
cises for the different sea-
additional value without the
sons. This should lead to you added feed cost associated
Please Contact Our Specialist for More Information... having confidence that your with retaining opens for the
cattle are getting what they spring market.
Henderson Ranch * 23480 Hwy 7 * Warsaw, MO 65355 need when they need it and
Office - 660-438-7105 * Email - Leslie.a.grace@gmail.com potentially to cost savings. University of Nebraska-
Thad - 660-723-3591 or Leslie - 660-723-2927 Lincoln
