Mineral Consumption and Utilization

As cattle continue to enjoy summer pasture grazing, we must ensure they meet their protein, energy, and mineral requirements. 

Mineral intake is essential for grazing cattle, as they are more prone to deficiencies.  Tracking consumption is a great way to ensure our cattle meet their mineral requirements. To monitor mineral consumption, keep track of the day you first put out the mineral, the day you refill the feeder, and the number of days in between. Divide the total pounds consumed by the number of heads, then divide by the number of days. This equation will help you determine the average pounds per head per day being consumed.

Mineral consumption fluctuates during the summer grazing season. Factors such as salt, water, and placement of minerals play into the consumption rate. All of these factors must be considered when placing mineral out for consumption.

Additionally, it is important to choose the correct form of mineral. When there are only a few cattle in the pasture, we must consider whether using a mineral tub would be the most cost-effective option for the producer. For larger pastures, having several places for cattle to access mineral supplements is important. This helps to ensure that the cattle consume the mineral and also aids in distributing their grazing across different areas of the pasture. Strategically placing the mineral allows us to promote more uniform pasture health and growth for the following year.

After considering mineral type, location, and form, we can be confident that we can optimize the use of grass for the cattle. When we use the right minerals and the cattle consume high-quality forage, the grass is converted into better condition for the cows, promotes growth in calves, and allows for proper development of the calves within the cows for the next year.

If you have questions about mineral types, forms, or locations within your operation, please get in touch with our feed sales team or your local MKC. We would be happy to assist you with any questions or problems.

Article provided by Katelin Hendricks, Counter and Scale Specialist