continued from page 77
“My cattle aren’t keeping or gaining condition as well as they have in
the past.”
Many metabolic processes in the body are regulated or activated
by minerals, including processes vital to sustain physiological systems
through periods of high growth.
For example, digestibility can be
driven or impeded by availability of
minerals. Digestibility in ruminants
is largely impacted by the state of the
microbial population in the rumen,
making microbes the driving force
behind utilization of nutrients. Rumen
microbes require a specific environment
and substrates in order to thrive and
survive, and the availability of certain
minerals (depending on the microbe)
are part of this specificity.
While you should not expect the presence or absence of a mineral
supplement to behave like an ionophore or a growth implant in
terms of feed efficiency or pounds of gain, a mineral supplement is
a key player in the digestibility and absorption of all nutrients and
their subsequent utilization in the body. While any major nutrient
deficiency will likely be visibly apparent by way of body condition or
average daily gain (or lack thereof ), a subclinical deficiency may cost
you a pound per week, which really adds up come sale time.
Most mineral supplements are formulated to be consumed at a rate
of 2 to 4 ounces per head per day. If your supplement targets 4 ounces,
and a cow is “off ” supplement about one-third of the year (due to her
needs being met through other sources), then she’s consuming about
60 pounds of mineral per year. At an estimated $35 for a 50-pound
bag of loose mineral, meeting her mineral needs costs you $42 per
head per year.
Plus $42 is less expensive than
having to replace a cow that fell out
of your target calving season. It’s also
less expensive than the ¼ pound you
may sacrifice in calves every day and
the cost of just one treatment for
respiratory illness.
Though not always immediately
evident, being intentional and consistent
about keeping mineral in front of your
cattle will benefit both your herd and
your bottom line in the long run.
Mineral Benefits
The benefits you reap when offering mineral include:
• Greater utilization of forage and feed.
• Higher quality colostrum.
• More optimal reproductive performance.
• Fewer incidences of illness.
Take Notice
of the big-name genetics we have available.
In recent years we’ve made a concentrated effort to add big-name
genetics to upgrade our herd. The current herd sires and donors being used in
our program are among the breed’s best. We invite you to come see the results.
TRMS Red Dirt Cowboy
Take Notice of the genetics we have available.
Your call or visit is always welcome
Chad McReynolds
PO Box 1658 • Sallisaw, OK 74955
(918) 616-5671 • [email protected]
80
Homo Polled • 43% Lim-Flex
PIE The Cowboy Kind 343 x ENGD Zenana 2074Z • CE: 7 BW: 1.2 WW: 64 YW: 104 MK: 15 DC: 16 MB: -.02 $MTI: 51
Looking for red bull with a different pedigree that will make them all polled? Red Dirt Cowboy is the one to saddle up to.
His first calves possess the added body, bone and performance we hoped they would and his balanced EPD profile
adds instant value to a calf crop.
SEMEN $40 - Contact Grassroots Genetics 866.305.9600
MAGS Xanthous
Homo Black • Homo Polled • 75% Lim-Flex
DHVO Deuce 132R x BOHI Rhonda 314R
Dam of MAGS Zodiac
This female is one of the cornerstone females in
our program. We have progeny coming out of
her and big-name sires such as TMCK Camden Yards,
COLE Architect and MAGS Winston.
She has a son by AHCC Hemi that looks outstanding.
• JANUARY 2020