Appropriate levels of dietary minerals such as zinc, selenium, and copper are essential for cattle to maintain good immune health and to remain productive. For several years, the Carter County Cooperative Extension Service has collected a group order for mineral mixed according to the University of Kentucky's Integrated Resource Management standards. This allows producers to get a UK-approved product at a better price than they could get individually. The Northeast Livestock Association, Eastern Foothills Cattle Association, and the Highlands Beef Cattle Association have helped recruit participants from the eleven counties they represent, with farmers from several counties participating in this program through most of its history.

Because many Johnson County cattle producers still provide only a rudimentary mineral supplement, the Agricultural Advancement Council prioritized an educational program on mineral as a means for getting more farmers to use a better formulation, such as the UK IRM mineral. To that end, the ANR agent set up a program with a representative with the company currently providing that mineral for the group order in Carter County. There were eleven county producers in attendance, representing nine farms. Eight of those farms have joined the group order for 2018. Their utilization of an appropriate mineral will help reduce the likelihood that they will incur veterinary expenses for conjunctivitis and other conditions, yielding a healthier and heavier animal that reduces costs and increases revenues.

This program has allowed the combination of UK research, local input, and the strong networks of cattle producers to improve their mineral programs for better herd healthy, productivity, and profitability.