Low moisture, cooked molasses blocks: A limited intake method for supplementing trace minerals to pre-weaned calves

Evaluation of Two Levels of Trace Mineral Supplementation to Beef Calves Prior to Weaning

In this 2-year study, approximately 84 days prior to weaning, 24 calves/year (Angus × Hereford) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: trace mineral (Cu, Se, and Zn) supplementation following NASEM (2016) recommendations (Control) or trace mineral supplementation above NASEM (2016) recommendations (Super). Calves were individually fed, and trace minerals were provided in 0.5 kg of dry distiller's grains three times weekly. Body weight (BW), blood, and liver samples were collected on d 0 and at weaning (d 84). Additional BW and blood samples were collected post-weaning on d 85, 87, 88, 91, 95, and 99 during the preconditioning phase. Initial liver concentrations of Se, Cu, and Zn were similar between treatments (p ≥ 0.69). At weaning, a year effect (p < 0.001) and a tendency for treatment × year effect (p = 0.09) were observed for Cu liver concentration. In year 2, but not in year 1, calves assigned to the Super treatment tended to have greater liver Cu concentration than calves assigned to the Control treatment. Except for Cu, a notoriously limited trace mineral in multiple geographical locations, the supplementation of trace minerals above the NASEM (2016) recommendations did not improve the mineral status of calves in this environment.

Effects of Trace Mineral Injections on Measures of Growth and Trace Mineral Status of Primiparous Cows and their Calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of injectable trace minerals (ITM) administrations at strategic moments in the beef cattle production cycle. At calving, 50 primiparous cows (Angus × Hereford) and their calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) ITM: cattle assigned to the ITM treatment received an ITM injection at calving and a subsequent administration at breeding (cattle over 2 yr: 1.0 mL/90 kg body weight [BW]; calves: 1.0 mL/45 kg BW); or 2) Control: cattle assigned to the control treatment were administered with saline following the same procedure as the cattle assigned to the ITM treatment. Body weight, blood, and liver samples were collected from dams and calves at multiple time points to evaluate the growth and mineral status of cow-calf pairs. All variables were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. A treatment effect (P = 0.02) was observed for Cu liver concentration of primiparous cows at breeding. Cows assigned to ITM treatment had greater Cu status than cohorts assigned to Control treatment. No treatment effects were observed for the mineral status or growth of calves. The administration of ITM to primiparous cows enhanced Cu status when grazing Cu forages scarce of Cu.

Effects of electrolyte supplementation on performance and physiological responses of preconditioning beef calves

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of electrolyte solution supplementation on the performance and physiological responses of beef calves during a 45-d preconditioning phase. Forty Angus × Hereford steers (230.4 ± 4.8 kg body weight [BW]) were sorted into 20 pens (2 steers/pen) following weaning (day 0). Treatments were randomly assigned to pens: (1) control: access to water only and (2) electrolyte: access to water and electrolyte solution supplementation (10% of total daily water intake) from days 1 to 14. Calf BW and blood samples were collected on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 44 of the study. Blood samples were analyzed for sodium, potassium, albumin, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and cortisol. All variables were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Electrolyte solution consumption was estimated at 0.70 kg/calf daily (SEM ± 0.21). Calves assigned to the Electrolyte treatment had greater water and total liquid intake than control (P < 0.05). No effects of treatment were observed on ADG or BW (P > 0.05). Effects of day (P < 0.004), but not treatment or treatment × day were observed for sodium, potassium, albumin, cortisol, ceruloplasmin, and haptoglobin. Electrolyte solution supplementation during the preconditioning period did not improve performance nor influenced stress-related markers, however improved liquid intake.

Ruminant Lick Blocks, Particularly in China: A Review

A lick block (LB) is a solidified mixture of molasses, urea, minerals, filler, coagulant and binder that is supplemented to livestock mainly in relatively extensive rearing systems. It provides nutrients, such as soluble sugars, proteins, minerals and vitamins to balance dietary intake and can improve rumen fermentation and facilitate digestion and absorption of nutrients. These supplements improve livestock production, reproduction and carcass quality. In addition, LB can partially replace concentrate, serve as a delivery vehicle for additives such as enzymes and drugs and mediate the distribution of grazing livestock. This paper classifies and analyzes representative research; discusses the types, ingredients and current status of the utilization of LB; and systematically reviews the processing technology, quality assessment, influencing factors of intake, action mechanism and application. This review can provide a basis for the development, popularization and application of novel LB products.