Mineral Program with Selenium

[PHAngus]

I have 8 cows that I currently feed good hay, a trace mineral block, and the occasional protein/mineral tub. Calving right now and I haven't had trouble with fertility in the past, just a cow that had a retained placenta. I've been told I need to provide them a loose mineral/granular mineral. I looked into the soil mineral content in NW Iowa and there is sufficient selenium in our soil. Should I I get a mineral without selenium? and if so will it be an additional cost?

 

[TexasBred]

I have 8 cows that I currently feed good hay, a trace mineral block, and the occasional protein/mineral tub. Calving right now and I haven't had trouble with fertility in the past, just a cow that had a retained placenta. I've been told I need to provide them a loose mineral/granular mineral. I looked into the soil mineral content in NW Iowa and there is sufficient selenium in our soil. Should I I get a mineral without selenium? and if so will it be an additional cost?

NO mineral furnishes ALL the vitamin and mineral needs of an animal even though they try.A normal amount of added selenium in the mix won't hurt anything and the cost is almost negligible.

 

[gonzo]

Here selenium is a problem according to my vet . I' ve got it in blocks and loose min. and hope for the best ;-)

 

[cowgirl8]

If your cow retained her afterbirth it could be the calf was a tad early. Thats one reason they retain it, that and twins.
My mother in law one time insisted that i take selenium because she said the produce now doesnt provide enough. She gave me a bottle she bought knowing i wouldnt go buy any. Anywho like a lemming i took them and before i finished the bottle, my toe nails fell off. Just popped off, clean, took months for them to grow back. This stuck with me for years, i blamed the selenium but it was before internet and i didnt have a way to investigate it. Well, the internet rolled around and after a short search, found that indeed it was the selenium..Unless you know something is deficient, dont give it to them............

 

[TexasBred]

If your cow retained her afterbirth it could be the calf was a tad early. Thats one reason they retain it, that and twins.
My mother in law one time insisted that i take selenium because she said the produce now doesnt provide enough. She gave me a bottle she bought knowing i wouldnt go buy any. Anywho like a lemming i took them and before i finished the bottle, my toe nails fell off. Just popped off, clean, took months for them to grow back. This stuck with me for years, i blamed the selenium but it was before internet and i didnt have a way to investigate it. Well, the internet rolled around and after a short search, found that indeed it was the selenium..Unless you know something is deficient, dont give it to them............

Sounds like you got a huge overdose. 4 oz. of mineral will contain a very low amount of selenium.

 

[cowgirl8]

I took the recommended amount the supplement suggested, and i took what they said to and since it was a long time ago, i probably forgot to take them as often as it said. I can never remember to take a pill. And it was a well known supplement company everyone sells. I dont think its because there was too much in the pill, but i didnt need it thus i got more than i needed. I didnt need a supplement.

 

[PHAngus]

Thanks for the info. What kind of mineral would you recommend? Is a granular worth it? Wind & Rain, Nutrebeef, elevator meal, liquid? SO many different kinds.

 

[TexasBred]

I took the recommended amount the supplement suggested, and i took what they said to and since it was a long time ago, i probably forgot to take them as often as it said. I can never remember to take a pill. And it was a well known supplement company everyone sells. I dont think its because there was too much in the pill, but i didnt need it thus i got more than i needed. I didnt need a supplement.

Neither do I.