In the current economic situation — when saving money is a must — it is tempting for cattle producers to forgo providing supplements to help boost their bottom line.
Michelle Buchanan, Crawford County Extension Agent with the University of Arkansas, explained, "Increased cost of phosphorus and increased costs of doing business has caused mineral supplementation expenditures to rise over the past two years. A common reaction to any increase in cost is to cut back or find a cheaper substitute. Changes in mineral supplementation should be approached with caution. Meeting phosphorus, copper, zinc and vitamin A requirements is important when trying to maximize the reproductive contributions to the pounds weaned per cow exposed equation."
Because protein and energy supplements can be costly, Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, said producers should first consider their current feed supply to determine if a supplement is even necessary.
“A forage analysis might reveal that their hay or winter pasture is better than they thought, and there is no need for a supplement,” Cole said. “Raising quality forage and turning cattle out on a pasture with a good mix of grass and legumes are the best ways to expose cattle to adequate amounts of energy and protein.”
Producers should also have a working knowledge of their cattle’s needs. For example, fresh cows that are just starting to milk have a greater energy need than cows that gave birth in August or September. Also, some cows have more fat stores to mobilize as a short term energy source, reducing the amount of supplementation needed.
“After producers identify the different types of cattle they have in their herd, some sorting is important to really get the best usage of feed supplements,” Cole said. “Penning cattle with the same energy and protein needs is a cost-effective way to provide supplements.”
Phosphorus deficiencies can affect the estrous cycles of cows resulting in anestrous and irregular estrous. "Copper and zinc are two trace minerals that can affect reproduction by resulting in impaired ovarian function or reduced spermatogenesis when there is a deficiency. Copper deficiencies are common among Arkansas cattle, not only because of lack of availability from plant tissue, but also from interactions with other nutrients such as iron, sulfur, and molybdenum," Buchanan explained.
If quality forage or pasture is not available, producers must begin thinking about providing a supplement. When it comes to choosing the best supplemental sources of energy and protein, Cole said producers usually have to decide between cost and convenience. “A few of the more expensive self-fed supplement options include lick tubs, lick tanks and dry supplements with limiters that prevent cattle from eating too much of the supplement, and while they may require more time and effort in distributing, supplements such as corn, soybean meal, alfalfa hay and dried distillers’ grains are still very viable options for producers.”
Buchanan concluded, "Managing herd reproduction for optimal involves ensuring that there are no mineral deficiencies in the diet by having a good supplementation program in place."
