PB1749-Mineral Nutrition of Beef Cattle

The mineral status of the brood-cow herd affects reproduction, growth, milk production and health. All of these can affect profitability, yet the cost of improving mineral status is low compared to production returns.

This publication’s focus is on “mineral optimization,” which emphasizes the dynamics of minerals in living tissue. Cattle have evolved an elegant system for storing and retrieving minerals from various body stores as they are needed. The success of this system depends upon reliable replenishment from dietary sources.