Healthy soil is the foundation of successful cow-calf farming. Maintaining soil health and preventing contamination from high mineral levels offer cow-calf beef farmers numerous benefits, from enhanced crop yields and economic savings to environmental protection and regulatory compliance.

Cow-calf beef operations often produce substantial amounts of manure, which presents a significant environmental challenges in some regions. Trace minerals like zinc, copper and manganese are vital for cattle health and performance but when provided in high excess of dietary requirements, the risk of mineral excretion into the environment increases. This can lead to soil contamination, water pollution through runoff, and disruptions in local ecosystems.

Manure from livestock operations adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil, improving its structure, water retention, and microbial activity. This reduces the need for irrigation and enhances resilience to extreme weather conditions. Balanced nutrient levels in the soil promote sustainable nutrient cycling, where organic matter decomposes effectively and releases nutrients at a steady rate. This minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers, which can be costly and have long-term negative effects on soil health. Grazing beef cattle therefore play a crucial role in soil health by contributing to its fertility and structure.

Effective nutrient management prevents runoff and leaching, protecting nearby water bodies from contamination. Regulations concerning nutrient management and environmental protection are becoming increasingly stringent. Preventing high mineral contamination ensures compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations, avoiding fines and enhancing eligibility for agricultural grants and subsidies.

Essential minerals like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) are vital for plant growth and development. However, an imbalance in mineral levels can negatively affect soil health:

• Toxicity: excessive accumulation of copper and zinc can negatively affect soil micro-organisms and lead to soil toxicity. This can inhibit plant growth, reduce crop growth. Manure often contains high levels of copper and zinc, which can accumulate in the soil over time. Feeding trace minerals with a low bioavailability and/or overfeeding trace minerals to beef results in high excretion in the manure.
• Soil pH: the presence of certain minerals can alter the soil pH, affecting nutrient availability.
  
  

Farmers can adopt several strategies to manage mineral excretion in cow-calf operations:

1. Precise supplementation: tailoring mineral supplementation to the specific needs of the herd based on soil and forage testing can prevent over-supplementation.
2. Rotational grazing: implementing rotational grazing systems helps distribute manure more evenly, reducing the concentration of minerals in any one area.
3. Use of hydroxy trace minerals: compared to sulphates, Selko hydroxy trace minerals are more bioavailable1,2 leading to better absorption and reduced excretion3 (see Figure 1).

Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals offer a stable and bioavailable source of essential minerals for beef cattle, which can match the amount of trace mineral supplementation needed and consequently lowering the risk of environmental contamination. Strong covalent bonds and a unique crystalline structure limit the exposure of the Selko IntelliBond trace minerals to antagonists in the feed and in the rumen. Slow dissociation of Selko IntelliBond occurs in the abomasum, making the mineral available to be absorbed by transporters in the small intestine. This ensures mineral supplementation is within recommended levels prevents the unnecessary buildup of minerals in the manure3 .

In conclusion, maintaining healthy soil and preventing contamination from high mineral levels are critical for the success of cow-calf beef operations. By adopting sustainable soil management practices and utilizing advanced nutritional supplementation strategies like Selko IntelliBond, farmers can achieve better long-term productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability.