Effects of Trace Mineral Supplementation and Source, 30 Days Post-weaning and 28 Days Post Receiving, on Performance and Health of Feeder Cattle

Abstract

Three hundred and seventy-five steers (approximately 7 mo of age and 239.0±10.4 kg) were utilized to determine the effects of trace mineral (TM) supplementation and source on performance during the on-farm backgrounding and feedlot receiving phases of beef cattle production. At their respective ranches, steers were stratified by body weight into six groups. Groups were then assigned to one of six pens and pens were randomly assigned to treatments. Treatments consisted of: 1) control (no supplemental Cu, Zn, Mn, and Co), 2) inorganic trace mineral (CuSO 4 , ZnSO 4 , MnSO 4 , and CoCO 3 ), and 3) organic trace mineral (iso-amounts of organic Cu, Zn, Mn, and Co). Mineral treatments were fed in alfalfa pellets formulated to supply 360 mg of Zn, 200 mg of Mn, 125 mg of Cu, and 12.5 mg of Co per head per day from either organic or inorganic trace mineral sources. Control steers received alfalfa pellets with no additional Cu, Zn, Mn, or Co. Steers were allowed free access to harvested alfalfa-grass hay throughout the 30-d on-farm backgrounding phase. On day 30 post-weaning, steers were weighed and transported to the feedlot. Steers were blocked by treatment within ranch, stratified by initial body weight, and randomly assigned to one of 36 pens (9-12 head per pen; 12 pens per treatment). Steers remained on the same on-farm backgrounding trace mineral treatments, however, trace mineral treatments were included in the total mixed growing ration. Steers were fed a corn silage-based growing diet throughout the 28 d feedlot receiving period. There was no effect of TM supplementation on performance of steers during the on-farm backgrounding phase. By the end of the 28-d feedlot receiving phase, ADG was similar between control and trace mineral supplemented steers. Steers supplemented with organic TM had greater (p<0.05) ADG than steers supplemented with inorganic TM by the end of the 28-d feedlot receiving phase. Morbidity and mortality rates were similar across treatments.

Effects of organic complexed or inorganic Co, Cu, Mn and Zn supplementation during a 45-day preconditioning period on productive and health responses of feeder cattle

“…As previously mentioned, Dorton et al (2006) reported increased feedlot receiving ADG when beef cattle were supplemented with organic complexed Zn, Cu, Mn and Co during a 30-day preconditioning. Based on these outcomes, we hypothesized that supplementing cattle with an organic complexed Zn, Cu, Mn and Co during a 45-day preconditioning program would yield similar or greater benefits as reported by Dorton et al (2006), mainly due to increased supplementation length. However, receiving performance and health parameters were similar among CON, INR and AAC cattle (Table 7), which should also be attributed to proper liver status of Co, Cu, Zn and Mn in all treatment groups during the preconditioning period.…”

“…However, receiving performance and health parameters were similar among CON, INR and AAC cattle (Table 7), which should also be attributed to proper liver status of Co, Cu, Zn and Mn in all treatment groups during the preconditioning period. Nonetheless, Dorton et al (2006) did not evaluate liver status of these trace minerals, and it is unknown if outcomes reported by these authors are related to treatment effects on replenishing hepatic deficiencies of these trace minerals. Dorton et al (2006) also maintained different Co, Cu, Zn and Mn supplementation strategies during the 28-day receiving period, while in the present experiment all cattle were offered the same feedlot receiving diet (Table 2).…”

“…Nonetheless, Dorton et al (2006) did not evaluate liver status of these trace minerals, and it is unknown if outcomes reported by these authors are related to treatment effects on replenishing hepatic deficiencies of these trace minerals. Dorton et al (2006) also maintained different Co, Cu, Zn and Mn supplementation strategies during the 28-day receiving period, while in the present experiment all cattle were offered the same feedlot receiving diet (Table 2). Thus, receiving performance may also be impacted when Co, Cu, Zn and Mn supplementation is altered during preconditioning and receiving period, as in Dorton et al (2006).…”

“…Dorton et al (2006) also maintained different Co, Cu, Zn and Mn supplementation strategies during the 28-day receiving period, while in the present experiment all cattle were offered the same feedlot receiving diet (Table 2). Thus, receiving performance may also be impacted when Co, Cu, Zn and Mn supplementation is altered during preconditioning and receiving period, as in Dorton et al (2006).…”

“…Traditional preconditioning recommendations include a 30-day period between weaning and feedlot entry (Pritchard and Mendez, 1990). Research results indicated that supplementing organic complexed Zn, Cu, Mn and Co to beef cattle during a 30-day preconditioning increased feedlot receiving growth, but not health, compared with cattle nonsupplemented or receiving inorganic Zn, Cu, Mn and Co (Dorton et al, 2006). Currently, a 45-day preconditioning program is recommended to allow proper vaccine administration and enhance cattle health during feedlot receiving (Faber et al, 1999).…”