Meeting livestock nutritional requirements is extremely important in maintaining acceptable performance of growing, finishing and breeding animals. From a practical standpoint, a nutritional program should ensure adequate mineral and vitamin intake through a supplementation program that corrects deficiencies in available forage. The proper balance of protein, energy, vitamins and all nutritionally important minerals is needed to make a successful nutrition program, one that is productive yet economical.

Also crucial to the nutrition program for cattle is water. Livestock may have health problems resulting from substandard quality water. Consuming water is more important than consuming food. A successful livestock enterprise requires a good water supply, in terms both of quantity and quality. Safe supplies of water are absolutely essential for livestock. If livestock do not drink enough safe water every day, intake of feed (roughages and concentrates) will drop, production will fall and the livestock producer will lose money.