Trace minerals are essential for many biological and metabolic processes in grazing beef cattle. However, research has shown large variations in individual intakes. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of mineral feeder design on visitations and intake of beef cattle on farms across Kentucky with feeder lids in place and removed. The Madison County ANR agent worked with Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, Extension Beef Cattle Nutritionist, to collect on-farm data at a Madison County beef producer operation. The agent chose the local farmer, learned the protocol and delivered supplies to the farm, helped set up the mineral feeder and associated camera and helped observe cattle and record data. 

Each evaluation period occurred for 5-7 days. Browning game trail cameras were used to record time lapse pictures at 2-minute intervals from sunrise to sunset. Time was categorized as morning, mid-day, afternoon and evening. Activity was categorized as eating mineral, standing, lying or other within 0.5 m of feeder. Effects of farm, treatment, and time were analyzed for mineral intake. Regardless of lid status, more cows were observed eating during the morning and afternoon (35% and 34.8%, respectively) than in the evening (10.3%). Similarly, more calves were categorized as eating in the morning and afternoon (29.3% and 41.3%, respectively) than in the evening (14.1%). These preliminary results indicate that feeder design may impact visitation of cows and calves but not average mineral disappearance.  Additional work is needed in future years to fine tune data collection procedures and analysis. Results of these studies will help UK Cooperative Extension make best management practice recommendations to Kentucky Beef producers regarding, mineral feeder design and placement within pastures.