As a rule of thumb, cattle consume 0.005 to 0.010 percent of their body weight as salt daily. Silage-fed cattle will consume more salt than those fed hay, and consumption is higher in cattle fed high-roughage diets than in those on high-concentrate diets. Cattle will voluntarily consume more salt when forage is young and succulent than when it matures. Both minerals are present in soft tissues and fluids and there is very little storage of these elements, so a constant, daily source of sodium and chlorine must be provided. Sodium is commonly deficient in diets, but chlorine levels are usually adequate. A deficiency of these elements causes loss of appetite and inefficient weight gains or body weight loss. They help regulate body pH and the amount of water retained in the body. Sodium and chlorine (salt) provide for the proper function of the nervous and muscular systems. Protein supplements such as cottonseed meal and soybean meal contain moderate concentrations, whereas many by-product feeds such as distillers grains, corn gluten feed and wheat middlings, have high phosphorus concentrations. Concentrates contain moderate to high concentrations of phosphorus. Cattle are more likely to be phosphorus-deficient during the winter, when they often subsist on dry forages. Most forages are low in phosphorus, particularly late in the growing season. Corn, corn by-product feeds and sorghum grain are particularly low in calcium content, and cattle fed grain or corn silage-based diets require calcium supplementation. One exception is citrus pulp, which is relatively high in calcium concentration (1.9 percent). In general, most concentrates are relatively poor calcium sources. Legumes such as alfalfa, peanut, clover and soybean hay are good sources of calcium, but corn silage and sorghum silage are poor sources of calcium. In some high-concentrate rations, ratios higher than 2:1 have been successful. The optimum Ca:P ratio is about 1.5:1, with a range of 1:1 to 4:1 being satisfactory. Proper utilization of calcium and phosphorus is affected not only by the amount of each mineral fed, but also by their ratio. Cattle also need correct amounts of calcium for the nervous and muscular systems to function properly. A phosphorus deficiency can delay puberty in heifers and can delay mature beef cows from returning to heat following parturition. A superior milking cow requires three times more calcium than a non-lactating cow. During lactation, low amounts of either will reduce milk production. A decrease in either or both can cause a decrease in weight gain and/or a decrease in efficiency of gain. Long-term deficiencies of either can cause bones to weaken and even break.Ĭalcium and phosphorus also play important roles in other bodily functions. The skeletal stores of calcium and phosphorus are used to meet short-term dietary inadequacies. Ninety-nine percent of total body calcium and 80 percent of total body phosphorus are stored in the bones. Calcium and PhosphorusĬalcium and phosphorus are the major mineral components of the skeleton. Macromineral requirements and maximum tolerable levels for beef cattle are shown in Table 1. The macrominerals beef cattle require include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chlorine and sulfur. Minerals essential to cattle nutrition are classified as either macrominerals or microminerals, depending on whether they are found at levels greater than or less than 100 parts per million (ppm) in the animal’s body. This bulletin provides information on basic mineral nutrition for most forage and feeding programs in Georgia. A good mineral program for brood cows should cost about $10 to $20 per year. Minerals not provided by feed can be easily and inexpensively supplied with a simple mineral supplement. Since high-quality forages and/or grains can furnish a large portion of the required minerals, producers should select supplements that will meet animal requirements and avoid excesses that reduce profits and lead to unnecessary mineral excretion. Selecting the correct mineral supplement is important for maintaining healthy animals, and optimal growth and reproduction. Lawton Stewart, Extension Animal Scientist - Beef Cattleīeef cattle require a number of minerals for optimal growth and reproduction.
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