Having the ability to mix feed on ranch can provide numerous advantages to producers. Whether the ranch’s goal is to economically supplement a cow herd, start feeder calves, or develop replacement stock, mixing feed on-site provides opportunities for flexibility and precision in nutritional management. When mixing feed on ranch, it isn’t uncommon to see occurrences of unbalanced diets being formulated and fed. This could be due to imbalances in macronutrients such as protein, energy, and fiber, but the most common deficiencies occur with micronutrients. Mixed feeds often contain a variety of ingredients. Fiber sources such as hay or silage serve as the base of the diet providing fiber while concentrates such as corn, distillers grains, cottonseed meal, etc., provide the desired levels of protein and energy. When these ingredients are combined, a nutrient dense product can be made, but the feed is still missing important components in order to be considered a “balanced” feed.

                Mixing mineral is an easily overlooked ingredient in cattle diets. The purpose of this product is to provide the macro and microminerals necessary for optimal cattle performance consuming a mixed feed. Although this mixing mineral is similar to a free choice mineral that would be offered to cattle on pasture, it is specifically formulated to fill deficiencies found in supplemental feeds and can be fed at varying rates. Grains used in mixed feeds have high concentrations of phosphorus (P) but little calcium (Ca). Mixing mineral will have a greater percentage of Ca and little to no P in order to maintain a proper Ca to P ratio within the diet. Mixing minerals also include ingredients such as potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), salt, copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), and vitamins ADE. Inclusion of these macro and micronutrients helps ensure that every bite of feed an animal takes is properly balanced and contains adequate levels of all nutrients that are necessary for optimal performance.

                Balancing of nutrients takes top priority when mixing any feed, but once a feed is balanced there are still opportunities to increase animal productivity through various feed additives. Products such as monensin, yeast cultures, feed through fly control, and essential oils like CinnaGar® can support productivity of animals on feed. Using mixing mineral as a carrier for feed additives removes the need for storage of extra feed additive ingredients and eliminates the need for understanding and execution of precise dosage of feed additives that can be unforgiving if done incorrectly.

                Inclusion of mixing mineral can seem insignificant when considering its percentage in the total diet. This small inclusion product can have lasting effects on the success of a feeding program. Without inclusion of a mixing mineral, feeds are rarely balanced. In the short run, little negative effects may be seen when mixing mineral is not included. Over the long term, operators choosing to utilize mixing mineral will see great benefits to feed performance and animal health.