In the Furrow
Background of minerals for cattle
By Will Duffie County Extension Coordinator

Beef cattle require a number of minerals for optimal growth and reproduction. Selecting the correct mineral supplement is important for maintaining healthy animals, and optimal growth and reproduction. Minerals not provided by feed can be easily and inexpensively supplied with a simple mineral supplement. Minerals essential to cattle nutrition are classified as macro minerals or micro minerals.

The macro minerals required by beef cattle include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chlorine and sulfur. Calcium and phosphorus are the major mineral components of the skeleton. Ninety-nine percent of total body calcium and 80 percent of total body phosphorus are stored in the bones. The skeletal stores of calcium and phosphorus are used to meet short-term dietary inadequacies. Long-term deficiencies of either can cause bones to weaken and even break.

Sodium and chlorine (salt) provide for the proper function of the nervous and muscular systems. They help regulate body pH and the amount of water retained in the body. A deficiency of these elements causes loss of appetite and inefficient weight gains or body weight loss.

Magnesium is essential for proper enzyme and nervous system function and for efficient carbohydrate metabolism. A magnesium deficiency is uncommon except for cows grazing lush-growth fescue or small grain pastures during the late winter and early spring, which may cause grass tetany.

Potassium functions in acid-base balance, osmotic pressure and the amount of water retained in the body. Grasses, particularly early lush spring growth, contains adequate amounts of potassium for grazing cattle and supplementation is rarely needed in grazing cattle. However, potassium may occasionally be low in stockpiled forages or hay that was rained upon prior to baling because potassium is soluble and will leach from the forage.

Sulfur is a part of the essential amino acids which are two of the amino acids that make up protein. A deficiency of sulfur in beef cattle diets is not likely to occur under normal feeding conditions. Sulfur is more likely to be in excess, which can interfere with the metabolism of copper resulting in a copper deficiency.

The importance of macro minerals along with daily water requirements can not be over emphasized in overall beef cattle health. Producers feeding hay due to limited winter grazing need to evaluate the need for supplementation. For more information contact the UGA - Burke County Extension Office at (706) 554-2119.