Managing for Profit

For cattle minerals, one size does not fit all

A cow-calf specialist says mineral supplements need to be customized for cattle.  Adele Harty with South Dakota State University tells Brownfield Ag News many cattle producers want to improve their mineral programs.  The motivation is because of special circumstances in South Dakota and other areas.  Harty says the lack of a specific mineral, or certain mineral interactions, might prevent pregnancies in cattle, or might cause early abortions.  But no matter where a cattle operation is located, Harty says it’s important for each cattle producer to evaluate which minerals are needed in a ration.  South Dakota State University is hosting a Cattle Mineral Nutrition Program at the Cottonwood Range and Livestock Field Station May 23.  A second session will be held this fall.

AUDIO: Adele Harty (3 min. MP3)