Jersey County Grain, 426 East Exchange, Jerseyville, IL 62052
618-498-2183
INTAKE OF JCG BEEF MINERAL HI-MAG BY LACTATING BEEF COWS,
SOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI, SPRING 2009
Intake of JCG Beef Mineral Hi-Mag was measured for 44 days (March 23 through May 6, 2009) using 301 Angus cross commercial cows near Patterson, Missouri. Composition of the mineral (as-fed basis) is shown in the table below.
Calcium (Ca), minimum %
9.6
Calcium (Ca), maximum %
11.5
Phosphorus (P), minimum %
5.0
Salt (NaCl), minimum %
15.5
Salt (NaCl), maximum %
18.6
Magnesium (Mg), minimum %
12.0
Potassium (K), minimum %
0.1
Copper (Cu), minimum ppm
1,900
Selenium (Se), minimum ppm
26.4
Zinc (Zn), minimum ppm
4,600
Vitamin A, minimum IU/lb.
324,000
Vitamin D3, minimum IU/lb.
32,400
Vitamin E, minimum IU/lb.
200
The cows used in this test calved in March and April on predominantly fescue pasture. The JCG BeefMineral Hi-Mag was offered free-choice via windvane mineral feeders.
No. cows
No. cow days
Mineral intake,
ounces/cow/day
301
13,244
3.56
Free-choice intake averaged 3.56 ounces/cow/day, which was adequate to supply 11 grams of calcium, 5 grams of phosphorus, 17 grams of salt, and 12 grams of magnesium, all of which are within the targeted range for these nutrients. The use of a magnesium mineral is money well spent. Saving one cow in a herd of 100 will pay for your mineral program for the normal 60-day season during which grass tetany is a threat. Keep in mind that grass tetany can occur in fall-calving herds as well, particularly if rainfall and temperatures are adequately high to stimulate grass growth in October and November.
