Minerals for Beef
The main mineral requirements for beef cows are similar to those of dairy cows. Sucklers are susceptible to staggers since they are generally fed less concentrates and, in the case of upland beef, tend to be reared on poor pastures.
It is advisable for these farms to dose with boluses or feed mineral supplements.
Male animals and steers (castrates) should not have access to Magnesium or Phosphorous since these two elements predispose Urinary Calculi (Stones) which eventually block the urethra and prevent the animal from passing urine, the effect is normally fatal.
Most beef should get plenty of calcium, salt, copper, selenium, and vitamin E. It is advisable
to check the mineral status of the diet ingredients first and then buy a balancing supplement.
What We Need To Know
System Data
| – | Single | Multi | – |
| Suckler System | – | – | – |
| – | All Year Round | Spring | Autumn |
| Calving Pattern | – | – | – |
| – | UK | Continental | Cross |
| Breed (Dam) | – | – | – |
| Breed (Sire) | – | – | – |
| – | Silage | 2nd Forage | Straw |
| Forage | – | – | – |
| Quality | – | – | – |
| – | Intensive (Cereal) | Semi-Intensive (Silage) | Extensive (Grass) |
| Desired Beef System | – | – | – |
| Growing | – | – | – |
| Storing | – | – | – |
| Finishing | – | – | – |
What We Need To Know
Animal Data
| Sex | Bull | Heifer | Steer |
| – | – | – | – |
| Liveweight | Kg | – | – |
| – | – | – | – |
| Target Daily Liveweight Gain | Kg per day | – | – |
| Or | – | – | – |
| Stage of lactation (Daily milk yield) | Litres | – | – |
| – | – | – | – |
| Feeding system restrictions | – | – | – |
| – | Silage | 2nd Forage | Straw |
| Forage quality analysis | – | – | – |
| – | Straights | Concentrates | Succulents |
| Suitable Feed Supplements (Analysis) | – | – | – |
| – | In Feed | Ad Lib | Blocks/Boluses |
| Minerals | – | – | – |
| – | – | – | – |
Today we can use powerful rationing software on our laptops and tablets to do the diet formulation calculations for us. This text has endeavoured to explain some of the thinking behind these models and allow us to have a better understanding of the diets that are put in front of us.
JJT 2020
© Copyright LSFS Ltd 2020
