The effects of mineral supplementation on feeding behavior and circulating minerals in large bison herds
Principle Investigators
Dr. Phil Urso, South Dakota State University
Dr. Tom Bragg, Turner Institute of Ecoagriculture
Bob Wesley, Turner Enterprises, Inc.
Graduate Student
Kallen Kafka, MS candidate
Rationale.
Minerals are an essential nutritional element needed for survival in nearly all species. These inorganic elements are found in soil and play an integral role in the production, growth, and maintenance of living organisms. Since minerals are components of soil, they can be derived from forage and grains, with availability in a diet depending on forage type, maturity, and location. The livestock industry recognizes the critical role minerals play in domestic animal welfare and production, and extensive research supports mineral supplementation as a common management practice in livestock systems with well-established physiological and ultimately production benefits. However, there is a lack of quantification and understanding of the effects of proper mineral supplementation for bison herds. As such, the bison industry utilizes cattle studies and nutritional requirements as potential guidelines for bison nutrition. While bison and cattle share certain similarities, these two species are not entirely comparable, with industry recognition that beef guidelines may not fully encompass or represent the true needs of bison. Purposeful, targeted research specific to bison is needed, and this project will focus on establishing a baseline for circulating trace minerals in unsupplemented bison throughout the Turner Ranches system and work to determine the effects of mineral supplementation on circulating trace mineral status. The results of this study will provide essential information to continue establishing mineral requirements for bison and provide insights into herd and individual animal behavior related to mineral intake.
