Trace minerals in cattle

Maternal transfer, fluctuations and production cycle changes

Abstract

Reproductive performance is 1 of the key economic drivers in both beef and dairy production. The roles of various trace minerals in cattle reproduction have been well documented. Identifying key risk periods of imbalance of these trace minerals, due to normal physiological events like maternal transfer or environmental exposure to antagonistic minerals, may enable practitioners to formulate supplemental strategies to minimize the risk and improve or maintain herd reproductive performance.