Selenium may be deficient for cattle and sheep in grains, crop wastes, fescue and other grasses grown on certain Missouri soils. Selenium supplementation increased the daily gain of steers grazing summer fescue pasture at the MU Research Farm. See MU publication G2080 for information on adding selenium to beef cattle rations. Alfalfa and other legumes are high in calcium. Grains are deficient in calcium but nearly adequate in phosphorus.
Limestone is a source of calcium.
Bonemeal and dicalcium phosphate supply both calcium and phosphorus. The last is a satisfactory method under most conditions, but some animals will over-consume minerals, while others may eat less than they need. Vitamins Vitamin needs of beef cattle are chiefly A, D and E. Bacteria in the rumen of cattle are considered to have the ability to synthesize vitamin K and the B vitamins in sufficient quantities to meet the animal's requirement. An exception would be a need for B vitamins in the receiving ration of stressed feeder cattle. Niacin has improved the performance of feedlot cattle on high-grain rations in some studies.