Author ORCID Identifier:
Date of Graduation
7-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Animal Science (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Animal Science
Advisor/Mentor
Powell, Jeremy
Committee Member
Kegley, Elizabeth
Second Committee Member
Midkiff, Kirsten
Keywords
beef cattle; conception rates; heifer development; mineral intake; reproduction; trace minerals
Abstract
The objective of these experiments was to investigate the effects of organic-complexed or inorganic trace minerals (copper, cobalt, manganese, and zinc) on cow reproductive performance, suckling calf growth, as well as heifer development and reproductive outcomes utilizing free-choice tub supplementation. In lactating cows, treatments consisted of molasses-based tub supplementation containing either complexed or inorganic trace minerals, with an additional pre-breeding drench administered only to cows receiving complexed minerals. The drench contained complexed or organic copper, cobalt, manganese, and zinc. Supplementation began approximately 6 weeks prior to fixed-timed artificial insemination (FTAI) and continued until bull removal (d 105). In weaned replacement heifers, treatments consisted of free-choice tub supplementation of either complexed or inorganic forms of the same trace minerals provided throughout the development and breeding period. Supplementation began approximately 1 month after weaning and ended at bull removal (d 264). In these studies, results indicated that trace mineral treatment did not influence growth or reproductive performance in either cows or heifers. Pregnancy rates to artificial insemination were 83 and 87% (P = 0.345) for complexed and inorganic supplemented cows, respectively, with overall pregnancy rates of 99 and 97% (P = 0.346). Heifer artificial insemination pregnancy rates were 55 and 50% (P = 0.656), and overall pregnancy rates were 91 and 84% (P = 0.497) for complexed and inorganic treatments, respectively. However, across both studies, cows and heifers supplemented with tubs containing complexed trace mineral consumed less supplemental mineral, on average, than those receiving inorganic trace mineral. Additionally, environmental conditions have long been known to affect mineral intake in grazing cattle, and this study confirms that environmental conditions influenced the rate of mineral consumption. Taken together, these results indicate that trace mineral source had no impact on performance outcomes in this well-managed beef cattle herd.
Citation
Riddle, J. (2026). Organic-complexed or Inorganic Trace Mineral Tub Supplementation: Impacts on Productivity and Reproductive Outcomes in Beef Cows and Heifers. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/6352
