What you are feeding to your cattle is going to make a difference in many different factors of the herd, from their overall health to their fertility and even their milk yield. That is why the supplements that are given to the herd are of particular interest, especially some of the more important supplements such as phosphorus and calcium. Of course, each herd is going to be different and their dietary needs are also going to differ, depending upon the area in which they are feeding and the type of feed that they are eating. What are some of the things that should be considered to optimize the health and productivity of your herd?

First of all, it is important for you to keep a close eye on the herd because you will often be able to determine some of their needs by the way that they are acting. For example, there may be certain factors which will cause the cattle to stop eating and this can help you to determine their needs. If the cattle are pasture fed, they may need to stop eating when it becomes physically impossible for them to fit in any more grass, for example. They may also stop eating if they are lacking in certain chemicals, phosphorous or protein. If that is the case, you can overcome the nutrient deficiency by feeding them a free choice minerals supplement according to their needs.

It is also a good idea for you to keep an eye on what the cattle are eating. If the cattle are deficient in phosphorous, they may begin to chew on any number of different items, including sticks and rocks. They will often begin to chew on bones, as that helps to satisfy their need for phosphorus. A mild phosphorus deficiency is not often going to be too much of a problem, although it can affect the fertility of the animals. A more serious deficiency is often noted by bone and teeth abnormalities and they may become lame.

If you suspect that there may be some deficiencies in your cattle, you can contact us for more information about our free choice minerals for cattle that will help to boost the health of your herd. We have several different lines that are available for the animals and have been formulated according to the way that they are fed, either in confinement, in the pasture or a combination of grain and pasture feeding. We can also custom blend minerals for your herd, if it becomes necessary.