An experiment was conducted in the central region of Malawi to study the relationship of minerals in soil‐plant‐animal systems to enable prediction of mineral status of beef cattle. Soil, forage and tissues (blood, bone and liver biopsy samples) were collected from cows at the same time in February, April, May, October and December for three consecutive years. Brahman x Malawi Zebu cows were supplemented with mono‐ and di‐calcium phosphate, salt and copper (plus cobalt and selenium) boluses.