Newswise — CORONA, N.M. – Experts will help ranchers consider the importance of mineral nutrition for their cattle herds at a special one-day symposium – “Minerals and their Role in Ranch Sustainability” – set for Nov. 20 at New Mexico State University’s Southwest Center for Rangeland Sustainability at the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center.
“Mineral nutrition can be confusing and is often neglected in our cow herds,” said Eric Scholljegerdes, NMSU beef cattle nutritionist. “The purpose of this symposium is to provide basic information on why certain minerals are important, identifying deficiencies and talking about successes and failures experienced with different mineral programs.”
Cost of the symposium is $10, which is due at the door. Pre-registration is required and is limited to the first 50 participants. The $10 fee will go toward printing costs.
“Another point we hope to get out of this symposium is to show that although mineral is expensive on a per-ton basis, the cost per cow is low and the benefits are far reaching and range from improvement in forage digestibility all the way to improved calf health in the feedlot,” Scholljegerdes said.
This will be the center’s first “Beyond the Roundtable” event, featuring an in-depth discussion delving into the role minerals play in livestock production and supplementation needs in New Mexico. In contrast to the format for the Rancher’s Roundtable, leading experts in mineral nutrition will present three one-hour presentations with a roundtable discussion to close the day.
Lunch will be provided and each participant will take home a bound proceedings with all information from the day, as well as supplemental information deemed important by speakers and New Mexico specialists.
The day will begin at 10 a.m. with an “Overview of Minerals and their Individual Function,” presented by Mark Branine, Ph.D., of Zinpro Corp.
At 11 a.m., Ted McCollum, Ph.D., of Texas Agrilife, will present “Performance Benefits of Minerals for Livestock.” Lunch will follow.
Scholljegerdes will speak at 1 p.m. on “Mineral Issues in New Mexico.” A roundtable discussion and case studies of mineral programs will take place at 2 p.m.
To register and for directions to the center, visit the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center’s website at www.corona.nmsu.edu.
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