Maintaining soil health and preventing contamination with trace minerals offers numerous benefits to beef feedlot farmers, including enhanced crop yields, reduced land use, economic savings, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance.

Trace minerals like zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) are vital for cattle health and performance. If these trace minerals are fed in excess of dietary requirements, copper and zinc will be excreted in manure, increasing the risk of contamination of soil with excess trace metals.

An imbalance in mineral levels can negatively affect soil health:

• Toxicity: Excessive accumulation of Cu and Zn can inhibit plant growth, reduce crop yields and harm beneficial soil microorganisms.
• Soil pH: High mineral concentrations can alter soil pH, affecting nutrient availability.

Healthy soil with balanced mineral levels provides numerous benefits for beef feedlot operations:

• Enhanced forage and crop yields: nutrient-rich soil supports robust plant growth, leading to higher forage and feed crop yield.
• Improved soil structure and water retention: well-structured soil retains water better, reducing the need for irrigation and helping to maintain consistent forage and crop supply during periods of drought.
• Nutrient recycling: balanced nutrient levels in manure reduce the need for chemical fertilizers that can have long-term negative effects on soil health.
• Water quality: prevention of leaching will prevent contamination of nearby surface water.
• Economic benefits: preventing soil contamination with trace metals reduces the need for expensive corrective measures and can qualify farmers for premium market opportunities
• Environmental compliance: preventing contamination with trace minerals ensures compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations,

Farmers can adopt several strategies to control trace mineral excretion in beef manure:

• Precise supplementation: over-supplementation can be prevented by forage testing and by tailoring mineral supplementation to the specific needs of the herd.
• Use of hydroxy trace minerals: Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals for beef cattle are highly bioavailable^1,2 (See Figure 1), leading to better absorption and reduced excretion via manure³.

Balanced supplementation with trace minerals is essential health and performance of beef cattle. Independent research proves that Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals are a highly bioavailable source of essential trace minerals, matching the herd's nutritional needs and reducing the risk of environmental contamination1,2 (see Figure 2).

Controlling trace metal levels in beef manure from feedlots is important to reduce the environmental impact of beef feedlot operations. By utilizing advanced nutritional supplementation strategies including Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals, farmers can secure long-term productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability.