Better to test than guess on minerals for cow herd

Beef cows, especially the “easy keepers,” seem to make a living on a wide mix of forages across the country and for most of the year. Trouble in the form of mineral and vitamin deficiencies could lurk below that outward appearance, costing hundreds of dollars in production losses. That’s according to Jeffery Hall of Utah’s State Diagnostic Lab. The leading concerns nationwide copper and selenium deficiencies that can cause white muscle disease and weaken immune function to let in pneumonia, diarrhea and other diseases. Other potential shortages may relate to zinc, manganese or vitamins A and E. –High Plains Journal Read more…