Trace minerals for beef cattle support biological functions that are required for proper immune function, reproduction, and growth. They are present in forages and other feeds used in cattle, but supplementation is often needed to meet the needs of the animal.

Stability and thus availability of the trace mineral source differs a lot. Traditionally, minerals have been categorized as either organic or inorganic, but a newly defined category of trace minerals, known as hydroxy trace minerals, became available recently. Research finds sulphate sources of trace minerals, which are the most commonly used inorganic sources in beef cattle, harm beef cattle’ physiological performance. Sulphates have a negative impact on rumen flora which reduces NDF digestibility and feed efficiency of beef cattle. Sulphates also negatively impact gut barrier function.

Selko IntelliBond is proven to be an effective source of copper, zinc and manganese for beef cattle. The low solubility of Selko IntelliBond at neutral pH results in less interaction in the feed/premix and in the rumen of beef cattle^1,2 (see Figure 1).

This reduces the negative impact on rumen fermentation and also means more metal is available for use by the animal where it is needed most . Exclusive OptiSize^® particle technology creates uniform particles, making Selko IntelliBond non-hygroscopic.

Free trace minerals can be toxic to rumen fibre digesting bacteria. The effect of Selko IntelliBond trace minerals on neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility was compared to the effect of sulphates in 2 trials^1,4. The results of these trials show that Selko IntelliBond is less toxic to rumen microbes compared to sulphate sources of trace minerals (see Figure 2).

Optimal rumen fermentation results in an increase of volatile fatty acids (VFA), which are an important source of energy coming out of the rumen. Selko IntelliBond was compared to sulphates in a trial with two groups of steers. Feeding Selko IntelliBond resulted in an increase of VFA production in the rumen of 21%, and an increase in propionate production of 15%² (see Figure 3).

Selko IntelliBond supplementation consistently increases growth performance and final carcass weight in finishing beef cattle when comparing with sulphates^6,7,8,9,14 (see Figure 4a) or with organic trace mineral sources^6,7,10,13,14 (see Figure 4b). Selko IntelliBond offers positive performance results in beef cattle combined with cost effectiveness.

Optimal performance of your beef herd with Selko IntelliBond trace minerals

Selko IntelliBond trace minerals are the ideal source for cattle because of the low water and rumen solubility of the Selko IntelliBond hydroxy crystals^1,2. This stability improves palatability^15,16 and limits the risk of adverse reactions with antagonists, increases feed stability, improves fiber digestion by rumen microbes^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14}, and provides a bioavailable, reliable, and predictable supply of trace minerals to your beef cattle.

1. Faulkner, M.J. and W.P. Weiss (2017). Effect of source of trace minerals in either forage- or by-product-based diets fed to dairy cows: 1. Production and macronutrient digestibility, Journal of Dairy Science 100:5358-53-67.
2. Caldera, C.E, Weigel, B, Kucharczyk, V.N, Sellins, K.S, Archibeque, S.L, Wagner, J.J, Han, H, Spears, J.B. and T.E. Engle (2019). Trace mineral source influences ruminal distribution of copper and zinc and their binding strength to ruminal digesta. J. Anim. Sci., 97:1852-1864.
3. Ibraheem, M, Kvidera, S. and B. Bradford (2021). Meta-analysis to determine the impact of trace mineral source on nutrient digestibility in dairy and beef animals. J. Dairy Sci. 104:97.
4. Spears, J. W., E. B. Kegley, and L. A. Mullis (2004). Bioavailability of copper from tribasic copper chloride and copper sulfate in growing cattle. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 116:1-13.Spears et al., 2004. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 116:1-13.
5. Shaeffer, G. L., K. E. Lloyd, and J. W. Spears (2017). Bioavailability of zinc hydroxychloride relative to zinc sulfate in growing cattle fed a corn-cottonseed hull-based diet. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 232:1-5.
6. Wagner, J. J. , T. E. Engle, E. Caldera, K. L. Neuhold, D. R. Woerner, J. W. Spears, J. S. Heldt, and S. B. Laudert (2016). The effects of zinc hydroxychloride and basic copper chloride on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and liver zinc and copper status at slaughter in yearling feedlot steers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 32:570-579.
7. Wagner, J., W. T. Nelson, T. Engle, J. Spears, J. Heldt, and S. Laudert (2019). Effect of zinc source and ractopamine hydrochloride on growth performance and carcass characteristics of steers fed in confinement to harvest. J. Anim. Sci. 97 (Suppl. 3):160.
8. Caldera, E., J. J. Wagner, K. Sellins, S. B. Laudert, J. W. Spears, S. L. Archibeque, and T. E. Engle (2016). Effects of supplemental zinc, copper, and manganese concentration and source on performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 33:63-72.Budde et al., 2019. J. Anim. Sci. 97:1286-1295;
9. Spears, J.W, Loh, H.Y, , Lloyd, K.E, Heldt, J.S, and T. E. Engle (2024) Trace mineral source and chromium propionate supplementation affect performance and carcass characteristics in feedlot steers. J. Anim. Sci. 102:1-8.
10. Hilscher, F. H., S. B. Laudert, J. S. Heldt, R. J. Cooper, B. D. Dicke, T. L. Scott, and G. E. Erickson (2019). Effect of copper and zinc source on finishing performance and incidence of foot rot in feedlot steers. App. Anim. Sci. 35:94-100.
11. Heldt, J. S. and M. S. Davis (2019). Effects of supplemental zinc source and level on finishing performance, health, and carcass characteristics of beef feedlot steers. App. Anim. Sci. 35:379-387.
12. Heldt, J. S. and S. Davis (2019). Effects of supplemental copper, zinc, and manganese source on growth performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 97 (Suppl. 2):140-141.
13. Heldt, J., B. Holland, A. Word, and K. Karr (2020). Effect of supplemental trace mineral source on performance, health, and carcass characteristics in finishing beef steers. J. Anim. Sci. 98 (Suppl. 4):157-158.
14. Budde, A. M., K. Sellins, K. E. Lloyd, J. J. Wagner, J. S. Heldt, J. W. Spears, and T. E. Engle (2019). Effect of zinc source and concentration and chromium supplementation on performance and carcass characteristics in feedlot steers. J. Anim. Sci. 97:1286-1295.
15. Caramalac, L. S., A. Saran Netto, P. G. M. A. Martins, P. Moriel, J. Ranches, H. J. Fernandes, and J. D. Arthington. 2017. Effects of hydroxychloride sources of copper, zinc, and manganese on measures of supplement intake, mineral status, and pre- and post- weaning performance of beef calves. J. Anim. Sci. 95:1739-1750.
16. Ranches, J., R. A. De Oliveira, M. Vedovatto, E. A. Palmer, P. Moriel, L. D. Silva, G. Zylberlicht, J. S. Drouillard, J. D. Arthington. 2021. Low moisture, cooked molasses blocks: A limited intake method for supplementing trace minerals to pre-weaned calves. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 273:114793.Ranches et al., 2021. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 375:1-12.