Choosing the best mineral supplement for your beef operation may seem daunting given the many options. Real differences in mineral quality do exist among feed companies. Some differences, such as visual physical and tag differences are easily recognizable, while other differences that distinguish truly superior products are not always obvious. Differences in physical characteristics include bulk density, particle size distribution, segregation, nutrient distribution, wind loss resistance, and water loss resistance. Differences in physical characteristics can generally be shown by relatively simple demonstrations (the exception is nutrient distribution). The payback on mineral supplementation is influenced by the quality of the product. Quality is a reflection of:

• Formulation expertise

• Manufacturing technology

• Research commitment

• Experience (the been there, done that aspect)

These four critical areas of quality influence physical characteristics, intake, and performance of a mineral. The following characteristics set ADM Alliance Nutrition Beef Minerals apart from others:

• Research proven

• Quality control

• Consistent intake

• Predictable responses

• Weatherization

• Return on investment

• Service

Minerals are minerals, but different mineral sources have different availability levels to rumen microbes and the animal. Plus, minerals interact with other minerals, which can interfere with availability. Due to these interactions, the correct mineral balance and formulation is extremely critical to achieve the optimum mineral availability levels. Figure 1 shows which minerals interact with each other.

Decades of mineral research back ADM Alliance Nutrition mineral formulation. We take into account mineral interactions, ratios, sources, and cow needs. Utilizing bio-available mineral sources, like sulfate forms, guarantee cattle can absorb needed nutrients. Our research scientists take the product to the field for testing before it comes commercially available.

Rigid quality control standards are in place to guarantee consistency and reliability of mineral sources. ADM Alliance Nutrition manufacturing expertise is the top in the industry. This expertise enables production of mineral products that are consistent in particle size, texture, and accurately blended.

Cattle intake of ADM Alliance Nutrition Beef Minerals is consistent. No guessing required. Research, formulation, quality assurance, and manufacturing expertise work in unison to yield products of predictable intake and that reliably and consistently met feed label specifications (Figure 2).

You won’t have to wonder if you’ve wasted money on mineral supplementation. The combination of quality ingredients, formulation, manufacturing, research, and experience yields products with a proven track record of intake control and production performance (Tables 1 and 2).
 

Table 1 ADM Alliance Nutrition Mineral Field Trials
		Average Daily Gain
State	No. Head	MoorMan’s brand Mineral	Salt	Brand X
TX	387	2.50	2.28
MT	143	1.63	1.44
TX	178	1.50	0.66
TX	140	1.75		1.43
OK	869	1.68*	1.23
WY	400	2.53*	2.12
NM	195	2.26*	2.01
OK	771	1.99*	1.37	1.23
KS	200	2.49*		2.15*
NM	270	2.20*	1.99	2.08*
*Ionophore used

Table 2 ADM Alliance Nutrition Stocker Cattle Performance
Location	Feed	Control	MoorMan’s Brand Mineral ADG Improvement over Salt
Oregon State	Grass silage	Salt	0.35 lb
Wisconsin	Summer pasture	Salt	0.35 lb
Kansas State	Pasture	Salt	0.11 lb
Illinois	Summer pasture	Salt	0.19 lb
			0.2 lb ADG improvement over salt
Over a 100-day grazing period, this equates to 20 lb extra gain due to MoorMan’s brand mineral supplementation.

Inclement weather doesn’t have to be a concern. Application of WeatherMaster®, a patent-pending weatherization process, reduces mineral losses due to moisture and enhances mineral uniformity. No more leaching of valuable nutrients, nor hard, caked mineral. ADM researchers validated the weatherization benefits of WeatherMaster in comparison to eight competitor mineral supplements. Figure 3 illustrates the results of a mineral supplement leaching test. The amount of minerals lost in WeatherMaster was 60% less in comparison to the average of the eight competitor minerals tested.

Mineral supplementation pays. Return on investment can be evaluated in terms of better gains and reproductive efficiency, the ability to digest forages more thoroughly and efficiently, and better immune response. In stocker cattle an average increase of 0.2 lb ADG due to mineral supplementation more than pays for the mineral investment (Table 3). And, better reproductive response in terms of conception rates also yield dividends (Table 4). Don’t forget about better body condition score due to extracting more energy from available forages. Cows in better body condition have better reproductive efficiency and feed cost may be reduced as less energy supplementation is required.
 

Table 3 Return on Investment Scenario
	Value of Gain
	$90/cwt	$100/cwt	$110/cwt	$120/cwt
Value of 0.2 lb ADG	$0.18	$0.20	$0.22	$0.24
Cost of mineral/hd/day*	$0.046	$0.046	$0.046	$0.046
ROI/hd/day	+$0.134	+$0.154	+$0.174	+$0.194
*This estimate is based upon the most expensive method of purchasing MoorMan’s brand mineral – one bag at a time, no discounts.

Table 4 Economic Value of Reducing Days to Conception
Costs associated with increased calving interval per 100 cows.
	60 Days	90 Days	120 Days
Experiment 1
Revenue	$54,313	$52,158	$48,937
Difference		($2,155)	($5,376)
Experiment 2
Revenue	$54,834	$52,903	$52,098
Difference		($1,931)	($2,736)
Source: Jeff Lehmkuhler, PhD, Extension Beef Specialist, University of Wisconsin.

ADM Alliance Nutrition Beef Mineral products offer more than just mineral in a bag. Our network of feed professional are available to assist producers in determining the precise mineral supplement to fit grazing conditions and cow needs. Our value goes beyond the bag into the feeder and onto your bottom line.