This article has been copied from The Stockman Grass Farmer (for a free copy, call 800-748-9808 or log on to www.stockmangrassfarmer.com ). The Grass Farmer is one of the the best I have found for good information. We furnish minerals to our goats by pouring the liquid minerals into the drinking water and by drenching them down the throats. The minerals are explained more on our "Total Health Program" page. Frank Willis

My Turn

A Guest Column of Opinion

Watching Your Cows Will Tell You a Lot About Your Soils

by Laurel Hoffman

 

    NEW BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania:  Chances are that your cattle are deficient in one or more of the essential minerals that they require in their diet to perform at their optimum level. I say this because depleted soils, chemical fertilization, environmental stress factors, industrial pollution, feed-stuffs containing nutrients that are only marginally bioavailable and even an animal's genetic make-up all contribute to this dilemma.

    It would be impossible to avoid all of them and one who could escape the effects of even a small majority would be the exception. The consequences of mineral deficiency are animals with compromised reproduction performance, reduced feed efficiency and growth, and increased susceptibility to disease.

    Signs of mineral deficiency can range from very subtle to blatantly obvious. Nonetheless this reduced performance chips away at your profits.

    So how do you know? Do you assume that pre-mixed rations are balanced and complete? Do you rely on the advice from your animal nutritionist?

    You could test your soils along with your forages, and even run serum or tissue tests on your animals to determine if they are indeed getting the minerals they require to function efficiently. To do all of this is not economically feasible nor is it normally necessary.

    There is another way.

    Learn to observe your cows.

    I use the word cows here to refer to males and females of all ages. And although I refer to cows, the principles set before you pertain to sheep, goats and other ruminants as well.    

    They will show you by their outward appearance and behavior what they need. No one else knows your cows and cares for them like you do.

    Whose wallet gets thinner when the calves are sick or don't grow, when the cows don't breed back, or when the bull didn't do what was expected?

    Who suffers when milk production drops or when another cow needs carrying out of the barn? I think you get the picture.

    You can develop the knowledge to recognize the signs of mineral deficiencies as well as how to correct them. Avoid big problems by recognizing the small ones.

    Learn what the signs are and watch what your cows show you.

    Minerals are inorganic nutrients or inorganic-organic complexes that are essential structural components in the body and necessary for many vital metabolic processes.

    The word trace is oftentimes referred to the small amounts required or contained in the soil. Certain trace minerals are key for enzyme function, a shortage of which cause a nutrient imbalance, altering the health profile of the animals.

    A deficiency causes degeneration of the liver, pancreas, heart and muscle tissue and most notably a lowered immune system.

But with the traces in place, the system's enzymes carry out repair and regeneration. These essential minerals can be either sufficient or toxic and are said to be under homeostatic control, meaning they are used when needed or excreted when not needed unless the system is overwhelmed.

    Out of the 17+/- minerals that are required by cattle, this article will focus on those most researched and notably known to affect animal health.

 

Required Minerals

    Calcium (Ca) is the most abundant mineral in the body with approximately 98% functioning as the structural components of bones and teeth. This mineral governs the passage of nutrients into cells and escorts toxins out of cells.

    Vitamin D is required for active absorption of Ca. It should be noted that diets high in fat may decrease the absorption of Ca.

    Calcium is critical for proper development of young animals and a deficiency can prevent normal bone growth. Signs of Ca deficiency include swollen, tender joints, enlargement of the ends of bones, stiffness of the legs, and development of beads on the ribs.

    A Ca deficient animal will appear listless, often exhibiting an arched back and a depraved appetite. Other deficiency signs include trembling of the hindquarters and weakness of legs.

    Females lacking in Ca will have stillborn calves and retained placentas. A Ca deficiency may also affect the onset of labor.

    Milk fever is caused by the inability of the newly freshened cow to utilize dietary Ca or mobilize bone Ca quickly enough at parturition to satisfy increased demand for milk production. This rarely occurs in heifers and is most common after third calving. One cause is an incorrect Ca:P ratio in the diet.

    To prevent milk fever, it is recommended to maintain a Ca:P ration of approximately 2.2-1.

    Once again, Ca and phosphorous (P) directly interrelate and Vitamin D is involved in their metabolism. Note that Ca as oxalate is biologically unavailable to the animal.

    The calcium-magnesium connection is essential because proper ratio is required to maintain tissue and bone structure.

    More than 300 enzymes are known to be activated by magnesium (Mg).

    Mg is essential for the transmission of the genetic code. Mg deficiency in calves results in excitability, anorexia, frothing at the mouth, profuse salivation, calcification of soft tissue and even convulsions. Death is often sudden with no prior signs.

    Dark switch hair at the end of the tail indicates long-term inadequate dietary Mg.

    Grass tetany, brought on by low levels of Mg in the body can be a problem in lactating beef cows. Initial signs are nervousness, reduced feed intake, and muscular twitching around the face and ears.

    Animals are uncoordinated and walk with a stiff gate. They will appear blinded, running in circles until balance is lost.

    In the advance stages, death usually occurs unless the animal receives an injection of magnesium-salt solution. Grass tetany is most common in lactating cows grazing lush spring pastures or fed harvested forages that are low in magnesium.

    Fertilizing pastures with fertilizers high in nitrogen and potassium is associated with increased incidence of grass tetany.

    Legumes are usually higher in Mg than are grasses. Magnesium oxide and magnesium sulfate are good sources of supplemental Mg, but Mg in magnesite and dolomitic limestone is poorly available.

    Phosphorus (P) is often discussed in relation to calcium because the two minerals function together in bone formation. Young animals have a higher requirement for this reason.

    Lactating cows have a higher requirement for milk production. P is required by ruminal microoraganisms for their growth and cellular metabolism.

    In grazing livestock, P deficiency has been described as the most prevalent mineral deficiency throughout the world. Those that are deficient in P will have decreased appetites, reduced feed efficiency and growth rates.

    They are unthrifty and lethargic. Reproduction is impaired (silent heat, low fertility).

    Milk production is reduced. Abnormal bones are weak and fragile.

    Deficiency may result in milk fever like symptoms late in the lactation of milking cows. Immune response may be reduced.

    Mg attaches itself to P which moves slowly in the soil. Nitrogen fertilization will cause vegetation to grow quickly even though there's inadequate uptake of Mg and P. This high level of nitrogen in the forage can cause grass tetany.

Absorption of P is stimulated by active vitamin D.

    Potassium (K) is the third most abundant mineral in the body and plays a major role in all cellular processes.

    Animals deficient in K will reduce feed intake thus slowing growth. A rough hair coat, pica (craving or appetite for unnatural feeds) and muscular weakness are results of inadequate levels of K in the diet. When cows are observed licking each other, especially during wintertime, they could be lacking K.

    Too little K results in retarded sexual maturity an difficulty breeding. Another K deficiency sign is a rapid drop in milk production.

    Sodium (Na) deficiency is common in grazing cattle. Rough hair coat, retarded growth, poor appetite and poor reproduction all point to Na deficiency. Milk production is reduced. Animals will seek unnatural feeds and lick hair coats in efforts to satisfy their need for Na.

    Chlorine (Cl) deficiency is unlikely to occur in grazing animals but can be induced in nonchlorine salts are used as sodium supplements. Deficiency signs are loss of appetite, poor weight gain, rough hair coat and possible fertility disorders.

    Sulfur (S) is almost always available in green plants. Its absence in pasture signifies a serious pasture deficit. While sulfur is essential, it cannot be harnessed without vitamin C.

    But vitamin C relies on the availability of copper. And copper in turn, needs zinc as an activator.

    Mild to marginal sulfur deficiency signs can be non-specific, mainly reduced performance and reduced rumen fermentation.

    Cobalt (Co) deficiency means the rumen bacteria fail to manufacture enough vitamin B-12. Signs are a starved appearance with pale skin, rough hair coat, reduced conception rates, and decreased milk or wool production.

    Inadequate intake of manganese (Mn) in young animals results in skeletal abnormalities that may include stiffness, twisted legs, and enlarged joints.

    In older cattle, Mn deficiency causes low reproductive performance characterized by delayed or irregular heat periods, low conception rate, abortion, stillbirths, and low birth weights. Mn deficiency has even been linked to an increased percentage of male calves.

    A deficiency of iron (Fe) results in anemia, listlessness, reduced feed intake and weight gain, and pale mucus membranes. Calves fed exclusively milk or milk replacer are at a greater risk to be Fe deficient, especially if they are housed in confinement.

    On the other hand, high levels of Fe in the drinking water and/or grazing tall fescue pasture can cause an Fe toxicity situation. This readily available form of Fe ties up the Cu and Zn. The effect can be long hair and toes and/or scaly dandruff over the rump and shoulders.

    The endophyte in the seed head exasperates the problem. When ingested it can thicken the blood. During the warmer months, animals can't regulate their body temperature.

    cows suffer as well as their calves. These calves will often have bloated bellies with long hair.

    The first sign of iodine (I) deficiency is usually enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) in the newborn. I deficiency may result in calves born hairless, weak or dead. It is characterized in cows by irregular cycling, low conception rate, abortion at any stage, and retained placenta. There may be decreased libido and semen quality in males.

    Zinc (Zn) stops oxidation damage, always favoring good bacteria, always annihilating bad bacteria.

    Zn is absolutely necessary for the production of sperm. A deficiency in Zn can reduce testicular growth and impair sperm maturation.    

    An is essential for normal wound healing and synthesis of collagen to bone.

    A deficiency can reduce feed intake, growth rate, and immune response. Weak hoof horn with increased susceptibility to foot rot can be another consequence of inadequate zinc intake.

COPPER AND SELENIUM

    I believe the last two minerals deserve special attention. Copper and selenium deficiency frequently occur together and is a wide-spread problem across the USA.

    Copper (Cu) is an essential component of a number of enzymes. Cu requirements are greatly increased by molybdenum and sulfur.

    Deficiency signs are numerous and include anemia, reduced growth, poor and faded hair coat, reduced fertility in cows and semen quality in bulls, retained placenta, inability to suckle, fragile bone, heel cracks, foot rot, cardio vascular disease, reduced immune response, scouring, difficulty calving, muscular incoordination in lambs and stringy wool.

    Cu kills all parasites and intestinal tract worms. Therefore animals lacking in Cu are at a higher risk of being infested.

    Feed grade Cu oxide is largely unavailable.

    Selenium (Se) is an antioxidant. Like zinc, beta-carotene, and vitamin E it prevents oxidative damage to body tissues. The function of vitamin E and Se are interrelated and a diet low in vitamin E may increase the amount of Se needed to prevent certain abnormalities such as white muscle disease.

    Animals under stress require higher levels of selenium.

    Marginal deficiency signs are scouring, foot rot mastitis, reduced growth rate, reduced fertility, poor reproductive performance, retained placentas, abortions and weak, stillborn or unthrifty calves that are unable to stand or suckle.

    White muscle disease occurs when the Se deficiency reaches a severe level. Animals may show stiffness, lameness, or even cardiac failure with no prior signs of sickness.

    Se supplementation has shown to be important in reducing the effects of industrial pollution.

    Exotic and faster growing breeds of cattle appear to have a higher requirement than traditional breeds.

    Se from selenomethionine or Se containing yeast is approximately twice as available as sodium selenite, cobalt selenite, or sodium selenate.

    Side notes: The hair coat accurately reflects the well being of the animal, its hormonal and nutritional balance. A short, dense coat with a natural sheen indicates good health.

    A hair coat that is unusually long, dull, faded or dry is a signal that something is deficient or missing, or out of balance. This could be your first and only clue.

    Baldness about the ears and eyes has been linked to a Cu deficiency. There may be adequate Cu in the system but other factors cause a low absorption rate such as insufficient Se intake. These two minerals being out of balance or lacking in the diet may also cause a dandruff that is noticeable along the top of the neck and back.

    Females that have retained a placenta often exhibit sunken, dehydrated eyes.

    In Summary, if you're not feeding minerals or fertilizing your pastures with minerals, I hope the information presented will convince you to start.