Page 24 - MWC 9-14-2023s
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The Midwest Cattleman · September 14, 2023 · P24
What Makes a “Good Complete” Mineral?
Dr. Katie VanValin, Extension Specialist, University of Kentucky
You’ve probably heard it erals for mixing in feed, or
a dozen times, “Make sure injectables. While blocks con-
you put out a good complete tinue to be a popular choice,
mineral,” but what does this these products are typically
mean? Like many aspects of 95-99% salt. These products
beef production, one perfect are often missing minerals
recipe for a mineral that will such as calcium and phos-
meet the needs of all cattle phorus, and even when trace
throughout the year does minerals such as copper, zinc,
not exist. A good mineral is a or selenium are included, the
product that can provide sup- concentrations are so low
plemental minerals in a form that cattle cannot consume
and source that allow cattle enough of the product for this
to consume enough minerals form of supplementation to
to prevent deficiencies. Un- be effective. Injectable min-
fortunately, not every miner- eral products are an effective
al product on the shelves at method of delivering a dose
the local farm store will meet of minerals quickly. However,
this definition. Here are a few this form of mineral supple-
considerations when looking mentation does not contain
for a “good” mineral. all recommended supplemen-
The first thing to consider tal minerals and shouldn’t be
is the form of mineral you are used as a complete mineral effective method of mineral It is also important to con-
looking for. The form typical- program. When cattle are on supplementation. For cat- sider the source of the min-
ly refers to how the mineral feed, selecting a loose miner- tle on pasture, a loose free- erals in the supplement. The
is delivered to the cattle and al that has been formulated choice mineral will typically source refers to the kind of
includes blocks, loose free- to be mixed directly into the be the best form of mineral each individual mineral in-
choice minerals, loose min- feed can be a convenient and supplementation to meet cluded in the mix and can be
requirements for all supple- determined by looking at the
mental minerals. ingredients list. Some min-
While mix-in or free-choice eral sources are more “bio-
minerals are effective forms available” than others. When
of mineral supplementation, a mineral source is more bio-
a closer look at the miner- available, more of the min-
al tag can allow you to se- eral consumed can be used
lect the product that is both by the animal. Typically, in-
cost-effective and meets organic sources of minerals
the needs of your herd. The are used in all mineral sup-
guaranteed analysis section plements. However, organic,
of the mineral tag provides chelated, or hydroxy sources
the concentration of select- of some minerals may also
ed minerals included in the be included as these sources
supplement. One must look are often more bioavailable.
at the ingredient section for When cattle are at risk of
a complete list of included developing a deficiency for a
minerals. However, if it is not specific mineral, looking for
listed under the guaranteed a mineral that includes more
analysis, the concentration bioavailable sources may be
of a specific mineral is un- advantageous. In the South-
known. When comparing two east, cattle tend to be at risk
mineral products of the same for developing copper and
form, be sure to look at the selenium deficiencies, where-
target intake that the min- as manganese deficiencies,
eral was formulated for. The for example, would be rare.
target intake is listed in the Thus, looking for a miner-
directions section of the tag. al that includes more bio-
If one mineral was formu- available sources of copper
lated for a daily intake of 3 (copper amino acid complex,
ounces and another product basic copper chloride, copper
formulated for 4 ounces, the lysine, etc.) and selenium
3 oz. product may look like it (selenium yeast) is an im-
contains more minerals, but portant consideration when
this is not a fair comparison. selecting a “good” mineral.
Be careful not to compare ap- Often mineral supplements
ples to oranges. will include multiple sources
