Cattle Producers Gain Nutrition Insights

By Scout Nelson

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is offering a free two-part webinar series designed to help cow-calf producers improve mineral management decisions and strengthen cattle nutrition programs. The educational sessions are also beneficial for Extension educators, nutrition consultants, and others interested in livestock production.

The webinar series will be held on July 13 and July 20, with both sessions beginning at 8:00 p.m. Central Time. Organizers encourage participants to attend both events because the second session builds on concepts introduced during the first webinar.

The first session, Cow-Calf Mineral Basics, will provide a strong foundation for understanding mineral supplementation in beef cattle operations. Topics will include the importance of mineral nutrition, how subclinical mineral deficiencies can affect cattle performance, and which minerals require daily intake versus those that can be stored in the animal's body.

Participants will also learn about common mineral-related challenges in cow-calf systems. The webinar will explain how forage testing can support mineral decisions and why understanding mineral interactions is just as important as evaluating individual mineral levels in feed programs.

The second session, Meeting Needs and Managing Intake, will focus on practical applications of mineral management. Attendees will be introduced to a new mineral evaluation calculator that can help compare commercial mineral products and assist in developing customized mineral formulations tailored to specific production needs.

In addition, the webinar will present real-world examples and management strategies for improving mineral intake in cow-calf herds. The information is intended to help producers make informed decisions that support animal health, productivity, and overall operational efficiency.

The educational program is designed to provide practical tools that producers can apply directly to their operations. By improving mineral supplementation strategies, producers can better meet livestock nutritional requirements and enhance long-term herd performance.

The webinar series is presented by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with funding support from the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. The initiative aims to provide science-based information and practical resources for improving cattle nutrition and management practices.

Registration for the series is free. After registering, participants will receive access information for both webinars.

Webinar Dates and Registration Link:

• July 13, 8:00 p.m. Central Time – Cow-Calf Mineral Basics
• July 20, 8:00 p.m. Central Time – Meeting Needs and Managing Intake

Registration Link: https://go.unl.edu/UNLMineralWebinar

Photo Credit: istock-simplycreativephotography