Importance of Minerals

At last week's Washington Cattlemen's Convention, I had the opportunity to visit with one of Trade Show exhibitors, Simplot's Western Stockmen Outside Sales Rep Curtiss Ickes about the importance of having a mineral feeding program for your cows.

Ickes: "A lot of these guys out on the range. who run their cows out on the range or hills it is a good way to have a mineral pack — some type of mineral package for the cattle year-round. Just keeps the cattle performing very well for conception rates and having high pregnancy checks so that your cows are getting bred every year and producing that calf that you are looking for them to produce."

Ickes says there are options for producers when it comes to mineral supplements.

Ickes: "There is always mineral packages or tubs. Guys can't justify putting out mineral packs in the hills because they are also feeding the elk and deer and wildlife. Mutli-men is a great option for a short boost of reserve on the whole trace mineral reserves. There is always different options — it is just not one thing set in stone that is just one correct way to have your mineral packages tied up in the cattle."

He continues with exciting news from Simplot.

Ickes: "Come spring, we are opening a kill plant in Kuna to buy butcher cows. It will be great opportunity for cattlemen and industry. It will be a beneficial for all the producers in the Northwest and Simplot."