Nutrition: Cattle Supplements
Cattle, sheep, goats and deer have something in common; they have a digestive system which allows them to utilize roughages, such as hay and grass, which is a major source of their diets. It is also a major source of nutrients for them. Even though they may seem to eat all day and munch on hay or grass, they still need a feed source such as grain. Along with their daily feeding of grain they also require some vitamins and supplements.
Cattle supplements are available through many manufacturers and companies. They are easy to obtain but some can be pretty expensive. One of the biggest expenses in raising cattle is the feed bill. It is not a cheap business especially when you never know when the cattle market might just plummet or rise.
To get an idea of what to feed your herd, there are a few things to consider. There are various classes of nutrients and each nutrient fulfills a specific role in the growth and production of your herd. Energy helps the body with the ability to function; Protein is a building block for the body; and Minerals help with growth, bone formation and reproduction as well as many other functions.
Some minerals to consider are: calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, sodium(salt) and selenium.
Common feedstuffs for cattle are: roughages, grains, oilseeds and byproducts.
We know how it feels when we don’t get the right nutrition into our bodies. We feel under the weather and puny, don’t much feel like doing a thing. Well, we usually don’t think of cattle like that but, if you think on it for a minute you’ll soon realize that if they don’t get the food that they need, they won’t grow so that we can have meat on out tables, they won’t produce the milk that we drink and they won’t have the ability to raise their own babies, on which we depend for our survival. So when you really consider all the factors, it makes sense, don’t you think.
Nutrients and supplements are essential to our livestock and pets. If you would like more information on basic cattle nutrition, check out the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs.