BROOKINGS, S.D. — SDSU Extension will be hosting a Cattle Mineral Nutrition for Producers Program at the Cottonwood Range and Livestock Field Station beginning May 23, 2017.
“This program will provide information and hands-on tools and training to assist producers in improving mineral nutrition for their cattle,” said Adele Harty, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist.
The May 23 session is the first of two sessions, the second session will be held this fall.
During the May session producers will gain a basic understanding of mineral nutrition and the role minerals play in health and production.
“Tools will be provided to monitor mineral consumption throughout the summer and determine whether cattle are consuming mineral at the appropriate level and what some tips and tricks are to help with consumption problems. In addition, the participants will be doing hands-on sample collection to be equipped to collect samples on their own operation for mineral analysis,” Harty said.
Throughout the summer participants will be encouraged to collect forage, water and other feed samples on their operation to determine mineral status. One-on-one assistance will be made available through ranch visits, phone calls and e-mails.
In the fall, the group will come back together to discuss what they observed for mineral consumption and sample analysis. Time will be spent understanding mineral tags and bioavailability of minerals within different minerals. During the fall session participants will be asked to bring their laboratory analysis from their feed and water samples to discuss.
“We will go over how to interpret the results and what’s next in determining the best commercial mineral or formulating a custom mineral,” Harty said.
Both sessions will include panel discussions that address how to develop a custom formulation from the professional nutritionists’ perspective and how it works for the ranch from the producer perspective. Producers will share why it was worth it to modify their mineral program and how it has benefitted their operation.
Registration deadline is May 16, 2017
Class size is limited to 20 operations, with up to two people per operation participating. Registration is $150 per operation.
To register visit, www.iGrow.org/events and search by the event date. For more information about the program or to be added to a waiting list for future programs, contact Adele Harty at 605-394-1722 or adele.harty@sdstate.edu.
This program is sponsored by SDSU Extension, Micronutrients a Nutreco Company and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition.
— SDSU Extension
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