Page 17 - MWC 8-20-20s

The Midwest Cattleman · August 20, 2020 · P17
MINERAL CONSUMPTION: IT MATTERS!

By Adele Harty, SDSU Extension Cow/ Example:
Calf Field Specialist • 150 lbs × 16
oz per lb = 2,400
Cattle mineral nutrition is oz
complex and often confusing, •2,400 oz ÷ 7
but one strategy to help ranch- days = 343 oz per
ers better evaluate their miner- day
al program is to monitor miner- •34 oz per day
al consumption. This goes back ÷ 100 head = 3.43
to the old adage, “You can’t man- oz per head per
age what you don’t measure.” day
Mineral supplement tags Once consump-
provide the recommended daily tion is calculat-
intake based on specific prod- ed, management
uct formulations. Recommend- strategies can be
ed intakes can vary widely de- implemented to
pending on the brand and type overcome con-
of product, with the most com- sumption issues.
mon being 1 to 4 oz. per day Forage and water
for loose minerals. Producers samples can provide valuable es, adding salt to reduce intake, dried molasses, dry distiller’s
should always read the mineral information in assessing wheth- changing mineral supplement grain or soybean meal can in-
tag to know how much the cat- er or not the mineral supple- products, or moving cattle to a crease palatability of the min-
tle should be consuming and to ment complements the avail- fresh pasture. eral. Inclusion rate of the feed
help determine if their herd is able forage and water to meet may require some trial and
actually consuming that recom- cattle nutrient requirements. Management Strategies for error to find the optimum level
mended intake. There are a va- Lab results will help iden- Under-Consumption of inclusion that results in tar-
riety of ways to accomplish this. tify deficiencies, toxicities, and If consumption is less than geted consumption. A starting

Calculating Mineral interactions to ensure the min- desired and the supplement
Consumption eral supplement is providing complements forage and water; continued on page 26
For the big picture, calculate the appropriate level of nutri-
pounds of mineral fed during ents for the situation. Various
the year. Multiply total pounds factors can influence mineral How Journagan Bulls Help
fed during the year by 16 to consumption including age and
calculate the total ounces deliv- experience of the animal, type You Achieve Your Goals...
ered. Divide ounces by 365 days. and placement of mineral feed-
Finally, divide ounces delivered ers, composition of mineral sup- • Selection
per day by the number of head plement, and changing forage – Journagan Ranch is the Largest Producer of Hereford
in the herd to determine aver- quality and availability. Cattle in Missouri
age mineral intake per head per Over-consumption of min- – Journagan bulls are selected on fescue and raised on fescue.
day. eral in the short-term is not of – Journagan bulls are selected for balanced traits including
great concern. Consider wheth- phenotype, genotype and EPD’s.
Example: er or not cattle have had access – Every Journagan Hereford bull has been calved un-assisted.
• 6,000 lbs of mineral per to mineral in the recent past. – All bulls will be ultra sounded and semen checked.
year × 16 oz per lb = 96,000 oz If mineral was not available
• 96,000 oz ÷ 365 days = 263 for a period of time, cattle may • Heterosis Sale Oct. 3
oz per day over-consume for a short period – Add 20-40 lbs. at weaning. Darr Ag Center
• 263 oz per day ÷ 100 head = of time to make up for nutrient – Complement your cowherd with a
2.63 oz per head per day deficiencies. If over-consump- Hereford bull from Journagan Spring eld, MO
Ranch.
Another way to monitor con- tion continues for more than a
sumption is to keep a record of week, other factors are likely • Performance
mineral delivery. Record the involved. Depending on forage – Steer feedlot
quantity of mineral delivered and water quality, the mineral performance and
each time and how many days supplement may not be meet- carcass data is available.
that quantity lasts. Monitor- ing nutritional needs or cattle • Solid Reputation and Guarantee
ing this closely will help iden- could be consuming it for the – Journagan Ranch has been
tify times when grass quality carrier, typically a protein-type in business for 38 years.
changes, which can influence product – over-consumption can
changes in mineral consump- also occur if forage protein is de-
tion. For instance, cattle will ficient. This has been observed JOURNAGAN RANCH
consume mineral differently in tame grass pastures in late Rt. 1, Box 85G
when grass is lush and growing summer in western South Da- Missouri State Mountain Grove, MO 65711
rapidly compared to when it is kota. Other management prac- University Marty Lueck, Manager
dormant. The calculation is the tices for over-consumption in- (417) 948-2669
same as outlined above, but the clude moving mineral feeders
number of days changes based further away from water sourc- For the Profit Minded Cattleman! (417) 838-1482 (Cell)
on frequency of delivery.