It is important for the cattle that are under your care to receive the minerals that they need to support their overall health. These minerals are often provided through the food that they are eating, either in confinement or when they are out to pasture. In most cases, cattle are deficient in certain essential minerals as well as some trace minerals because the soil is deficient in that area. That is why most cattle will benefit from free choice mineral supplements that will provide them with what they may be lacking from their typical diet.

One of the minerals that is vitally important for the health of cattle is phosphorous. In some areas or under certain conditions, the cattle may not be deficient in phosphorous but that is not always the case. Your cattle may be fine if they are eating a diet that contains a certain percentage of cereal grain or if they are grazing in areas where phosphate fertilizers have been used. In some cases, it may be necessary for the phosphorous status to be determined by analyzing a rib bone that comes from the cattle. It may also be possible for you to determine that the cattle are deficient in phosphorous because they will be chewing bones, which will help to relieve that deficiency. It is of note that if a sheep is chewing bones, it is not always a sign that they are lacking in phosphorous.

Low phosphorus levels in cattle can be tolerated for a short amount of time but if the deficiency is seen for longer lengths of time, it can cause serious problems. One of the issues that can occur with the health of the cattle due to a phosphorous deficiency is for their appetite to be reduced. It can also affect their growth rate, fertility and the amount of milk that they are giving. If the phosphorous deficiency is allowed to go on for a longer amount of time, it can affect the bones of the animals as well as their teeth, leading to abnormalities. This is often seen in the way of an arching back, stiffness or lameness.

Phosphorus is important for the health of the cattle but it is not the only mineral that it’s going to be necessary. That is why we provide free choice minerals that can help to provide your heard with what is necessary, according to their specific needs.