08/23/2026
The I-29 Moo University Beef On Dairy Dialogue Webinar Series continues at 12 noon CDT on Wednesday, August 26 featuring Dr. Dathan Smerchek discussing the effect of growth enhancing technology on mineral requirement in beef cattle.
Trace minerals (TM) are an essential component of the ruminant diet. Although required in small amounts, this component of the diet is vital in supporting and enhancing cattle growth and ensuring the profitability of beef production. Historically, TM requirements were set to prevent deficiencies. These requirements significantly improved growth and reproductive performance. In the United States, the beef cattle industry continues to increase total beef production with a shrinking mature cow herd. From 1977 to 2007, a 44% increase in beef cattle growth rates occurred, and this trend has continued, as evidenced by the consistent, year-on-year increase in hot carcass weight. These improvements in growth and production are achieved through improved cattle genetics, precision nutritional strategies, increased days on feed, and improved use of growth-enhancing technologies. Growth-enhancing technologies such as steroidal implants and beta-adrenergic agonists are valuable tools that significantly improve growth performance, feed efficiency, and lean tissue accretion. Thus, cattle grow faster and more efficiently than ever and to heavier finished weights. Given that many TM requirements were established over 40 years ago, it is important to reevaluate whether these standards still meet the needs of the modern beef animal.
Dr. Dathan Smerchek is an Assistant Professor in Animal Science at Iowa State University, my appointment is primarily research focused. My research program is currently in the early stages of development, but the overall goal of my research program is to foster innovation within the beef industry through science-based approaches to improve precision livestock nutritional and technological management to influence sustainability, productivity, and profitability of the industry.
There is no fee to participate in the webinar; however, registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar. Register online at:
https://go.iastate.edu/P4ZUFZ
For more information; in Iowa contact, Fred M. Hall, 712-737-4230; in Minnesota contact, Jim Salfer, 320-203-6093; in Nebraska contact Kortney Harpestad at 402-472-3571; or in South Dakota contact, Warren Rusche, 605-688-5452.
