Quality Cattle Mineral Supplementation Creates Positive Lifelong Impacts

The concept of fetal programming has been evolving in the beef industry for several decades as more research is done.

Fetal programming is defined as the time when tissues and organs are created during embryonic and fetal development. During this time, proper nutrition is critical in supporting the development of the fetus as it grows into an adult.

Recently, Purina® Wind and Rain® mineral was featured in a gestational nutrition research study by North Dakota State University.[1] The study aimed to illustrate the importance of providing minerals and vitamins during gestation and its impact on fetal programming.

Study design

Replacement heifers were synchronized and bred with sexed semen to create heifer calves. The resulting heifer calves were grown to a breeding age of 15 months upon conclusion of the study.

The only difference between groups was in the gestational nutrition of the dams, where Purina® Wind and Rain® mineral was fed to the study group at a rate of 4 ounces per head per day. The control group didn’t receive any supplemental mineral during gestation.

Throughout the study, both groups of dams were fed a basal diet of silage, hay and dried distillers grain to gain 1 pound per head per day. The basal diet wasn’t deficient in minerals compared to National Research Council requirements for cattle. Liver biopsies of both the control and study heifers were adequate for trace mineral profiles.

Following calving, both the study and control groups received mineral supplementation.