Taking aim at the moving target of profitability, area cattlemen took time to reload last week at the Beef Cattle and Forage Crops Field Day near Mound Valley, Kan.

The ammunition was provided by Kansas State University researchers and specialists at the annual Southeast Agricultural Research Center event.

K-State Extension Beef Systems Specialist Justin Waggoner told cattlemen that mineral supplementation is a critical, but often misunderstood, practice.

And, with increasing costs, Waggoner suggested that better understanding can lead to money-saving strategies.

Noting that minerals play critical roles such as the facilitation of immune function, blood clotting, cell growth and others, Waggoner discussed two mineral categories—macrominerals, such a calcium and phosphorus, and microminerals like copper, zinc, selenium and manganese.

Explaining that phosphorus deficiency is prevalent in grazing animals, the animal scientist said both phosphorus and calcium supplementation needs are driven by cow stage of production.

Micro—or trace—mineral requirements, on the other hand, remain fairly constant.

Cows calving in late March reach peak calcium and phosphorus need in late May and that requirement bottoms out in the October-December period. After that, requirements increase again as the gestating cow approaches lactation.

The calcium and phosphorus content of standing forage varies somewhat during the growing season. Additionally, other supplemental feed—and even the water supply—can affect the amount of mineral a cow receives.

Waggoner suggested that producers can alter their mineral strategy if they understand the mineral content of their forage base and animal needs. For phosphorus, he suggested that many spring-calvers may be able to go from 8 percent phosphorus to a 6 percent mix during the August to January period when cow requirements are less.

While that has the potential to save some dollars, Waggoner said producers should consider their own management practices to determine if it is worthwhile. He also recommended that cattlemen interested at taking a second look at their mineral supplementation strategy should talk to their county Extension agent.

SEARC Forage Researcher Joe Moyer discussed bermuda grass variety selection. He suggested that producers consider their production goals as well as how the forage is to be utilized.

Moyer also outlined the relative establishment and annual costs of Midland 99 and Wrangler varieties. In his analysis, Midland 99—a sprig-type—costs approximately $176.50 per acre to establish, compared to $128 per acre for the seed-type Wrangler.

Although Wrangler was somewhat cheaper to establish, Moyer noted that Midland 99 is one of the more productive varieties adapted to southeast Kansas.

Annual costs were very similar at approximately $99/acre.