Mineral programs when using alternative feeds

After a series of long, cold winters and hot, dry summers in Saskatchewan, many producers are faced with depleted hay inventories. With winter just around the corner, more producers are looking to alternative feeds to supplement the little hay they have available. Alternative feeds can be an excellent option to supply additional energy, protein, and roughage sources to cattle rations. However, it is critical to ensure a proper mineral program is provided to account for the imbalances that some alternative feeds have.

In order to maintain production, animal welfare and income in the cow herd, is it crucial that all alternative feeds have a feed test completed. These details allow a specific ration to be created and balanced for the animal’s nutritional needs. Most importantly, the feed test will measure macro mineral levels so a mineral program can be created to complement the feeds.

Mineral is often talked about in ratios, for example 1:1 or 2:1. This refers to the calcium and phosphorus ratio in the mineral, with the first number referring to calcium, and the second number referring to phosphorus. In the animal’s body, a 2:1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus is required to maintain bone health and for proper body functions such as lactation, weight gain and nervous and muscle function. An imbalance of calcium and phosphorus can be devastating to growth, production and, most importantly, animal welfare.

Purchasing mineral in the fall to anticipate the animal’s winter needs can be tricky, but knowing where each mineral fits best will make your decision easier.

1:1 minerals contain one-part calcium to one-part phosphorus. The best fit for these minerals are feeds already containing high calcium, such as alfalfa and clover, and some alternative feeds such as canola hay, pea hay and lentil hay.

2:1 minerals contain two parts calcium to one-part phosphorus. A 2:1 mineral is typically the most used mineral option, as it pairs nicely with grass hays and grain-based feeds. Grasses are typically low in calcium, so feed testing hay is needed to determine if there is enough alfalfa in the ration to meet calcium requirements, or if a 2:1 mineral is required. Cereal grains and forages are high in phosphorus, and low in calcium, therefore a 2:1 mineral fits well when using cereal greenfeed or straw, silage and grain.

3:1 minerals contain three parts calcium to one-part phosphorus. This mineral is used when calcium levels are severely low or when the cow’s requirements for calcium are very high. A situation where a 3:1 mineral would be required is when corn grazing or feeding corn silage, as corn grain is very low in calcium. Also, high-producing cows (often dairy cows) require the extra calcium when they are milking very hard.

In addition to choosing the appropriate calcium to phosphorus balance, other macro minerals and trace minerals are required to keep the cow in a healthy state. For example, many producers in Saskatchewan have been dealing with elevated sulphates in their water. In that situation, if a producer wants to use a feed such as kochia or canola hay or straw, a sulphur test is important to include when submitting the feed test. Kochia and canola normally contain elevated sulphur and pairing that with high-sulphate water can cause sulphate toxicity. Once the sulphur values in the feed are known, a ration can be created using safe sulphate levels.

Finally, vitamins should not be forgotten. There are four main vitamins – Vitamins A, B, D and E. Vitamin B is synthesized by the cow from the mineral cobalt, so it will not be indicated on the tag. However, vitamins A, D and E, all need to be supplemented in the winter months. When feeding rations with grain (ie. grain and straw primarily), the grain portion contains little to no vitamins at all. Forages contain highly variable levels of vitamins, and cut forage has no remaining vitamin A. Therefore, vitamin supply cannot be relied on from the winter feed and supplementation must occur. A vitamin deficiency can cause a cascade of issues including reduced growth, suppressed immunity, and decreased conception rates.

Utilizing alternative feeds in times of a feed shortage can be a valuable option, but it is critical that feeds are tested to measure quality. Pairing a mineral to the feeds that are being used is very important in order to avoid deficiencies or accidental toxicity. Consult with your local Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist or your nutritionist prior to making changes to your feeding program, or for advice in selecting a mineral program.

For more information, contact your local nearest Regional Office or call the Agriculture Knowledge Center general inquiry line at 1-866-457-2377.