Extension Helps Producers Avoid Unnecessary Costs With New Mineral Intake Tools

By Dr. Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist

Dr. Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension Animal Scientist, offers herd health advice as part of the weekly series known as the "Cow Calf Corner" published electronically by Dr. Peel and Dr. Glenn Selk. Today, Dr. Selk introduces some new tools developed by OSU Extension to help producers monitor their cattle's mineral intake.

"Proper mineral and vitamin nutrition contributes to strong immune systems, reproductive performance and calf or stocker cattle weight gain. Both over and under consumption of mineral supplements can cause issues, including unnecessary expense. Proper mineral consumption is especially critical when it contains medications such as chlortetracycline (CTC) or ionophores. Commercial mineral mixes have a target consumption rate included in the feeding directions.