Minerals help keep the Rudacilles' beef cattle in peak condition.

There are many reasons why Irvin and Coleman Rudacille enjoy a stellar reputation for producing some of the finest beef cattle around.

One is feeding mineral supplements, a practice handed down by their father, Ray. The foundation for everything they do to make the cattle operation work on their Bentonville, Va., family operation, known as Flint Run Farms, is built around a herd health plan that starts with a complete mineral program.

Another factor, according to Bill Duncan, the brothers' Southern States field service advisor, is good management. And that applies to all aspects of the operation, from the 1,500 acres of grain and forage they raise for their 330-cow herd to years of a culling program to select for top milking mothers who raise healthy, high-performing calves. After weaning, the Rudacilles keep and market those calves as yearlings.

"We supplement with minerals 365 days a year," Coleman says.

"Minerals help cows and calves alike digest food better and help prevent grass tetany," Irvin adds. "By balancing the cost of minerals against the cost of losing one or two cows, it's easy to justify a mineral program."

Duncan says the Rudacilles also recognize that minerals complement their vaccination program. "Their approach to herd health is rock solid," he notes.

Irvin, left, and Coleman Rudacille feed a complete Southern States mineral program throughout the year.

The brothers say they depend on Duncan and Southern States for minerals, animal health products and many of their farm's and cattle operation's other needs. "We've been doing business with Southern States for more than 40 years," Coleman notes.

A Texas A&M study confirms mineral supplementation is a key to profitability. It showed that as mineral supplement rates increase, sickness and disease rates decrease. Of the ranches in this study that had no disease in their herds, 90% used a complete mineral program as part of their management practices.

Those study results don't surprise John Bargeloh, manager of ruminant nutrition and research for the co-op. "A complete mineral program is the first line of supplementation that cattle producers should look at," he says. "Trace minerals are especially important for a healthy immune system in the herd."

When choosing supplemental minerals, producers should be aware of the quality of the minerals. "We're sold on the importance of this point," Bargeloh says. "That's why we don't compromise on the quality of the supplements that carry the Southern States brand."

The producers add that Duncan and other Southern States professionals are important resources for advice as they adapt with industry changes and management challenges. "We listen good," Irvin says with a grin.