What are the Things to be Considered Before Selecting the Minerals?
Certain factors should be considered before selecting the ‘mineral package’ for your cattle. First of them is that even though we always tend to pick a package that fits most of the cattle, you need to understand that every cattle is different from each other. So the nutrition requirement will also be different. You need to consider the geography of the farm, production goals, seasonal changes etc. before coming to a final decision. Also, make sure the supplements are of good quality. If you are a cattle farm owner make sure you are well aware and educated on what minerals are best for your cattle.
What Happens if there is Mineral Deficiency?
Deficiency of minerals is very difficult to diagnose. They are two types: Primary deficiency, which occurs when cattle are deficient in a particular mineral and Secondary deficiency that occurs when cattle consume mineral antagonists, which is often seen.
What are the Important Minerals that Your Cattle Requires?
Minerals are widely classified into two: macrominerals and trace minerals. Let’s have a look at them.We need to add a right amount of macrominerals in cattle feed. Calcium is one the most often ingredients of cattle feed. It helps in the clotting of blood and the contraction of muscles. Calcium usually works in conjunction with phosphorous (2 parts Ca for every part phosphorus)which aids in growth, milk production and fertility. Potassium maintains the acidity levels in body fluids whereas sulphur helps to control the protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism as well as blood clotting of the cattle. Magnesium is required for energy and bone growth. For breeding stock, .5% of added salt is adequate to maintain acidity levels in body fluid like phosphorus and also adjusts the pressure in body cells.
But Trace minerals are required only in minimal amounts since slight excess or deficiency of it could affect the overall results. Copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, iron, manganese, selenium etc are some of the essential trace minerals. Copper and Selenium is required for better fertility and immunity. Zinc improves the growth of skin, hooves and the lining of the reproductive organs. Cobalt is usually added in the mineral mix at approximately 10 ppm to avoid loss of appetite and weak growth. Iodine helps to regulate energy metabolism. Iron is required for the formation of haemoglobin whereas manganese is for normal reproduction.
When it comes to a business it is always about the profit we get from it. For cattle farms, maximum profit means healthy cattle. A well-balanced diet with essential nutrients can aid the well being of your cattle. But usually, when it comes to selecting the cattle feed minerals, there are so many options that you will be confused about what should be chosen. So this article guides you to determine what minerals your cattle need.
Make sure that you are providing high-quality and quantity minerals to your cattle. Make sure that everything you feed you feed is under the cattle diet which includes the required amount of minerals, vitamins and other nutritious elements. Monitoring their mineral intake on a daily basis can be difficult but using appropriate management strategies you can make this a little easier.
