Beef expert says Montana cattle may need trace
minerals
|
Kay Dee Feed
REPORTS |
| Reprinted from Tri-State Livestock
News |
| Bozeman, Mont. − Most Montana cattle probably do not
get enough copper and zinc, said an expert at Montana State University.
Even in good forage years, Montana’s legumes and grasses are often
deficient in these key trace minerals, said John Paterson, a beef
specialist with the MSU Extension Service. |
| Cattle need trace minerals for vitamin synthesis, hormone production,
enzyme activity, collagen formation, tissue synthesis, oxygen transport,
energy production and other physiological processes related to growth,
reproduction and health, said Paterson in a recent issue of the "Beef:
Questions and Answers" newsletter. |
| Recent liver biopsies from cattle in southwest Montana suggest that 39
percent of the cattle surveyed did not have adequate levels of copper in
the liver. However, cautioned Paterson, cattle in eastern Montana might
have levels more similar to western North and South Dakota, where up to 92
percent of cows were found to have inadequate copper amounts in the liver. |
| A deficiency in copper or zinc can delay estrus, decrease conception
rates and increase dystocia in cows, and decrease libido, delay puberty
and impair growth in bulls, said Paterson. |
| "I also believe that much of the footrot I see in Montana is related to
trace mineral deficiencies," said Paterson. "Zinc and iodine
supplementation appears to cure the problem." |
| In a Montana survey from a few years ago, most grasses, legumes and
forage mixes were found to be deficient in both copper and zinc. In
addition, the survey found some high ratios of molybdenum, which can
further decrease the animal’s absorption of copper. |
| Water can also be a factor. Paterson said several water samples from
central Montana showed sulfate levels that were up to eight times higher
than recommended. Such a high ratio can also reduce the animal’s
utilization of copper. |
| Livestock producers who are concerned about trace mineral levels in
their herds should analyze forages and livestock water for mineral
content, said Paterson, particularly if cows are experiencing delayed or
abnormal estrus or other reproductive health problems. |
MSU Ag and Extension News
News from Carol Flaherty, Suzi Taylor, Marla Goodman and Scott Freutel.
406-994-5136 or 994-2721 |
| Extension publications are searchable online at: http://www.montana.edu/publications/ |
