Effects of Supplementation on Forage
and Feedstuff Utilization

Mineral and Vitamin Supplementation
Cattle will generally consume enough minerals and vitamins from available forages and grain to survive. But, they do not receive enough minerals and vitamins from forages or grains to optimize digestion and performance. This is because mineral and vitamin content of forages and grains is deficient in certain minerals and varies tremendously depending upon:

• Soil type

• Weather conditions

• Time of year

• Fertilization levels

• Stage of maturity

• Storage conditions

Over time, soils can also become depleted in mineral content, resulting in lower mineral levels in forages. Hence, the need to provide supplemental minerals and vitamins.

Mineral and vitamin supplementation is critical for cattle to achieve the most economical gains possible from the forage and grain they consume. Minerals and vitamins are needed in very small quantities, yet they are a critical part of the overall nutritional package fed to cattle and are the backbone of a successful range cattle program. Minerals and vitamins play a vital role in nutrient digestion, reproductive performance, the immune system, and in the development of muscle, bones, and teeth. Typically, inadequate intake of essential minerals and vitamins may result in:

• Reduced forage intake

• Inefficient feed utilization

• Decreased average daily gains

• Lower reproductive efficiency

• Poor disease immunity

Minerals Needed by Cattle			Vitamin Supplementation
Macro Minerals	Trace Minerals		Vitamin A    Vitamin D    Vitamin E    Typically, ruminants are not    supplemented with B vitamins    because they are produced in    the rumen.
Calcium    Phosphorus    Magnesium    Salt    Potassium    Sulfur	Copper    Zinc    Manganese    Cobalt    Iodine    Iron    Selenium

Mineral Supplementation Increases the Rumen Microbe Population
Feeding minerals increases the rumen microbe population, which is critical to increasing forage digestion. Figure 2 shows cattle fed hay had only 39% of the microbial population of cattle fed a full supplement package, while cattle fed minerals and vitamins had 69% of the rumen microbe population. Increased rumen microbe populations can lead to improved forage digestion, which leads to improved body condition scores.

What if Only Salt or Trace Mineralized Salt is Fed?
Salt or trace-mineralized salt will not meet all the nutrient needs of cattle. Cattle need a balanced mineral (macro and trace) and vitamin program to maximize forage utilization and performance.

Figure 3 shows the difference in nutrient digestion in cattle fed only salt compared to cattle fed a balanced mineral program.

Supplementing with a balanced mineral and vitamin program enables cattle to obtain more of their needed nutrients from the forages consumed rather than getting needed nutrients from grains or additional supplements. Feeding a balanced mineral and vitamin program can reduce total cost of production by increasing forage digestion, which can increase performance.