Enhancing Mineral Supplementation Decision-Making for Cow-Calf Producers

Commodities

Practices

The project “Enhancing Mineral Supplementation Decision Making
for Cow-Calf Producers” aims to address the need for improved
mineral supplementation practices in cow-calf production, as
highlighted by a recent survey showing high demand for research
and education in this area among Nebraska cow-calf producers.
Mineral supplementation is important due to the insufficient
concentrations of essential micronutrients in forages, crucial
for optimizing lactation, reproduction, immune response, and
growth in cow-calf systems. However, mineral supplementation
needs are complex, with variations in forage and water mineral
content, as well as interactions between minerals impacting
bioavailability. This complexity often leads to uncertainty and
suboptimal supplementation, risking both economic losses and herd
health. To tackle this challenge, this project aims to develop a
user-friendly tool to assist producers and advisors
(veterinarians, nutritionists, and extension educators) in
selecting optimal free-choice mineral mixes tailored to their
specific needs. This tool will utilize existing literature and
understanding of mineral interactions to provide personalized
recommendations based on forage and water mineral content, as
well as cattle stage of production. By refining the tool through
stakeholder feedback and providing targeted educational
programming, the project aims to enhance knowledge, awareness,
and skills among stakeholders, ultimately leading to the adoption
of tailored mineral supplementation programs and cost-effective
practices. Evaluation will involve pre- and post-project surveys,
tracking tool usage metrics, and economic impacts to gauge the
project's effectiveness in improving mineral supplementation
decision-making and outcomes for cow-calf producers.

Learning outcomes:

1. Increased knowledge among cow-calf producers and advisors
   (veterinarians, nutritionists, and extension educators) regarding
   the importance of mineral supplementation in optimizing herd
   performance and economic sustainability.
2. Improved awareness of the factors influencing mineral
   availability and interactions in cattle diets, leading to
   better-informed decision-making.
3. Enhanced skills in utilizing the mineral calculator tool to
   assess mineral supplementation needs based on forage and water
   mineral content and cattle stage of production.

Action outcomes:

1. Adoption of tailored mineral supplementation programs by
   cow-calf producers, resulting in optimized herd health,
   reproduction, and growth performance.
2. Implementation of cost-effective mineral supplementation
   practices, leading to improved economic returns for producers.

Measuring outcomes:

1. Pre- and post-project surveys will be conducted to assess
   changes in knowledge, awareness, and attitudes towards mineral
   supplementation among cow-calf producers and advisors.
2. Participants in outreach activities will be invited to opt in
   for future communications. Those who agree will receive a
   follow-up call 6 to 8 months after initial contact to monitor
   adoption rates of a tailored mineral supplementation program.
3. Follow-up calls will also facilitate the assessment of
   changes in mineral supplementation expenditures and herd
   performance metrics to quantify economic impacts.
4. Access to the tool and resource materials posted on the
   dedicated mineral supplementation webpage will be tracked.