The Need for Feed Supplements
By Maura Keller
Though the need for supplemental minerals has long been understood, it historically has been relegated to the meteorological fall through winter season when good grass forage isn’t available. As grass comes up in the spring, producers begin pulling cattle off mineral supplements. But as Brad Thornberg, the President of SweetPro explains, this conventional practice is now undergoing a reevaluation.
“Producers are becoming increasingly aware of the beneficial impact year-round mineral supplementation has for improving cattle health and breeding performance,” Thornberg says. “Supplements help fill in gaps where important minerals are missing, even in good forage. This plays an important part in improving breedback/preg rates and supporting the calf in reaching its full genetic performance potential.”
Of course, not all mineral supplements perform the same. There is a significant difference in types of mineral, delivery systems and bio-availability to the animal.
SweetPro Feeds has a range of bio-available vitamin and mineral supplements that match the condition of forages consumed. As Thornberg explains, they are designed to support cleaning and breedback while improving forage-feed efficiency, energy, gain and overall herd health. SweetPro also offers products for backgrounding and feedlot operations. SweetPro minerals are available in solid no-molasses, DDGS-based blocks and the loose form MINEX. The blocks are built for even delivery to the entire herd as boss cattle do not “camp” on the products. All SweetPro supplements come with high omega3 and the postbiotic and multi-prebiotic yeast culture, ProBiotein® to support rumen health.
Tim Starbuck, membership manager at Ruma-Lic Animal Products & Ruma-Lic Farms, adds that over the years, the supplements and mineral industry has evolved from simply addressing basic nutritional needs to offering highly specialized solutions.
“Initially, the focus was on broad-spectrum supplements, but now we’re seeing a shift toward precision nutrition. Supplements and minerals are crucial for maintaining optimal cattle health and productivity. They help address specific nutritional gaps that can affect growth, reproduction and immune function. Investing in the right products is essential because it ensures that cattle get balanced nutrition, which translates to improved feed efficiency and better overall performance,” Starbuck says. “From my perspective, this investment pays off by enhancing herd health and boosting productivity, ultimately leading to greater profitability for producers. It’s about making informed choices that support the long-term success of their operations.”
At Ruma-Lic Liquid Feed Liquid Feed and Ruma-Zyme Probiotics +, they’ve pioneered this shift by developing targeted formulations of proteins, fats and advanced enzyme technologies. As Starbuck explains, these innovations allow them to tailor supplements to the specific needs of each herd, enhancing feed efficiency and overall cattle health. This evolution reflects a broader trend towards personalized nutrition, which helps cattlemen achieve better performance and productivity.
Specifically, Ruma-Lic Liquid Feed specializes in advanced feed formulations that are customized to support specific herd requirements, enhancing both health and performance. Meanwhile, Ruma-Zyme Probiotics + provides eight beneficial species of bacteria and cutting-edge enzyme products that improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
“Our program is designed to help ranchers achieve optimal feed utilization, better growth rates, and enhanced reproductive success,” Starbuck says. “Our products are the result of rigorous research and are tailored to provide the best possible outcomes for each unique herd.”
According to Matt Luebbe, as a representative of NEMO Feed, many of the advances made in the supplement and mineral industry have evolved because of a better understanding of nutrient requirements.
“Public and private research has identified the need for supplementing nutrients based on the rations fed or region cattle are located,” Luebbe says. “By determining the gaps or missing nutrients in a specific ration we can now customize supplements or mineral packages for an individual farm or ranch based on the resources they have for a base ration.” Luebbe adds that technology used by feed manufacturers has improved the efficiency of production to build custom feeds for producers.
“Hand-calculations and phone calls were replaced by improved means of communication and feed balancing programs to expedite the process,” Luebbe says. “This technology is very useful but only as good as our understanding of the fundamental requirements and principles of nutrition. Computer programs do not understand biology, so the nutritionist needs to use the program along with experience.”
NEMO Feed is an independent, full-service feed manufacturer that provides nutrition and feed services to the Midwest. The company offers a full line of non-GMO multi-species feed, with the commitment to provide products and programs that promote more profitability to your operations. Products that manipulate nutrient use in the animal are rigorously evaluated prior to release into the marketplace. These value-added products are offered by NEMO using a state-of-the-art micro nutrient machine system to assist with specific supplement formulation.
Exploring Latest Advancements
The traditional way of feeding supplements has been with molasses as a mineral carrier/binder. However, the understanding of gut health has led to supplementation that does not contain simple sugars from molasses, but are rather designed to support rumen bacteria with complex carbohydrates and prebiotic fiber.
“The addition of yeast cultures has boosted cattle immune systems,” Thornberg says. “MOS and ß-glucan from the yeast cell wall help remove pathogens, while other prebiotic fibers from the yeast growth media support important rumen and lower-gut bacteria. In another development, support for weaning, heat and transportation stress has led to the use of natural anti-stress blend additives in supplements. Garlic too has found a place in the fight against flies, ticks and lice alongside feed-through IGR.”
One of the exciting advancements Starbuck is seeing is the development of precision probiotics and enzyme products with enhanced efficacy. For instance, Ruma-Lic Liquid Feed has introduced new probiotic formulations designed to optimize gut health and nutrient absorption specifically within the small intestines. Additionally, Ruma-Zyme Probiotics + has launched innovative enzyme products that significantly improve the breakdown of complex feed components, enhancing digestibility and overall nutrient uptake.
“We’re also utilizing data analytics to fine-tune these formulations based on real-time herd health data. These advancements are helping ranchers achieve unprecedented levels of productivity and efficiency in their operations,” Starbuck says.
Identifying the Ideal Solution
So, how can producers determine the best supplement and minerals that are ideal for their herds? Thornberg says forage sampling is a good indication of the current condition of pastures and what nutrients and minerals are needed. There are many factors that the producer needs to take into account.
“Chiefly, are they getting their money’s worth? Is the mineral available to the body and will it meet that animal’s needs in their current forage conditions?,” Thornberg says. “Cattle age is also a factor, as young developing calves and heifers will need a more accessible product than mature cattle.”
For Starbuck, determining the best supplements and minerals involves a comprehensive approach. He says producers should start with a thorough nutritional assessment, which includes analyzing forage quality and feed composition. Working with a livestock nutritionist can also provide valuable insights into specific needs.
“Additionally, using diagnostic tools and monitoring herd performance can highlight areas where supplementation is needed. By combining these methods, producers can select products that precisely match their herd’s nutritional requirements, leading to improved health and productivity,” Starbuck says.
Luebbe points out that the cost of production or the return on investment for producers is a very tight margin and constantly evaluated. Well managed operations look at many of the costs associated with supplementation on a cents per hd/day basis in addition to their return on investment.
“For crop production, farmers are using GPS to apply fertilizer or other products based on requirements for each row, or even a portion of the row,” Luebbe says. “We do not have the ability to individually feed each animal based on their specific requirements but still can tailor what is fed to each pen for most animals and remain profitable. The ‘one-size fits all’ mentality was used far too often for beef production in the past.’”
Continuous Improvements
The future of mineral supplementation is evolving towards use throughout the year, not just the fall and winter months. According to Thornberg, supplement products will target cattle gut health, the microbiome of the rumen and the lower gut tract, to support the reduction of antibiotic use.
“While the initial costs of year-round supplementation are higher, the boost in animal performance in all areas, from feed efficiency to fertility creates a greater return for the producer,” Thornberg says. “Nutrients from stools worked into the soil by dung beetles will increasingly improve the fertility of the pastures. The land is then benefited from enhanced feed efficiency. All stakeholders, producers, land managers and consumers benefit from these advancements in cattle health.”
Starbuck is optimistic about the future of supplements and minerals in the cattle industry. He says the industry is on the threshold of even more personalized and data-driven solutions that will revolutionize how we approach cattle nutrition.
“I foresee genetic advancement and data analytics leading to even more precise supplement formulations that enhance feed efficiency and overall health,” Starbuck says. “Furthermore, there’s a growing emphasis on sustainability, which will drive the development of environmentally friendly products. Overall, these innovations will significantly boost productivity, improve digestion, and support the long-term health and success of cattle operations.”
