![]() “In other words, an excess or deficiency of one mineral affects how other minerals function in the animal,” said Hairgrove. Excess zinc reduces the amount of copper absorbed and excess iron or sulfur can interfere with absorption of other minerals. He said zinc and copper need to be absorbed in a specific ratio. For example, diets high in protein and/or potassium or low-carbohydrate diets can impair magnesium absorption, said Hairgrove. The key to understanding individual needs centers on the total nutrition of the herd. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can help producers test for their needs. What works for one livestock operation will not always work for a neighbor when it comes to mineral supplements. “Knowledge of your herd’s mineral status is fundamental to developing an optimal herd health program.” ![]() “Proper livestock nutrition is a key factor in your cattle’s health and productivity,” added Thomas Hairgrove, DVM, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension cattle veterinary specialist in the Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science. There are a lot of factors producers must take into consideration.” “What works for your neighbor’s cattle won’t necessarily work for you. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to minerals,” stressed Joe Paschal, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Corpus Christi. When it comes to cattle and minerals, what works for a rancher 700 miles away may actually work better for you than what works for a neighbor 7 miles down the road it all depends on what is in your soil, supplements, feed, forage and water supply. Ranchers need to keep in mind that the wrong quantities of minerals can be dangerous or even deadly to cattle, said experts from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Assistance in livestock mineral toxicity, testing
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