Some Cattle Problems Could be Caused by Lack of Minerals

New information on mineral concentrations in range plants may help producers improve management practices by adding minerals to the diet or moving livestock at specific times when deficient or toxic levels occur.

NDSU Extension Animal and Range Scientist Kevin Sedivec recently completed a study looking at the mineral composition of native and domestic range plants in Western and South Central North Dakota. The study found that the mineral content of native grasses and crested wheat grass varies during the growing season and from year to year. Minerals are often over-looked in grazing livestock diets while producers concentrate on dietary components such as crude protein and neutral and acid digestible fiber, Sedivec says.

"Every cattle operation should have a balanced nutrition program but if there is still a problem, it could be caused by a mineral deficiency in the diet," said Sedivec. Many ranchers in western North Dakota have reported reductions in livestock health and performance due to mineral deficiencies, however, little to no documented information is available to substantiate their concerns.

The study focused on copper but included other minerals such as calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. "A lack of copper can lead to lower reproductive rates, weaning weights, performance, and cause problems with the immune system," Sedivec says.

For example, if cattle show signs of scours in the spring, it may mean that the hay fed to the animals during the winter season was copper deficient. Copper concentration levels were extremely low in native grasses and crested wheatgrass in two of the three years that were studied.

Sedivic also collected water samples in the study area. Test results will be released at a later date, but Sedivec noted that high concentrations of sulphur in water could cause problems with how cattle process copper. He encourages ranchers to have their water tested for high levels of sulphur. One key symptom of copper deficiency is a red tinged color on the hair near the skin of the animal.

Zinc concentration levels were also very inconsistent. They were deficient during at least part of all three growing seasons studied according to Sedivec."A producer may see signs of hoof cracking which could mean a zinc deficiency," said Sedivic. "The problem could ultimately lead to hoof rot."

The study area included private land in Bowman, McKenzie, and Kidder counties. All study areas consisted of native pasture and crested wheatgrass collection sites.

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Source: Kevin Sedivec, (701) 231-7647, ksedivec@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern (701) 231-6136, Richard_Mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu