anyone NOT use mineral?

[tom4018]

Most of the loose minerals of decent quality say 4-6 ounces per day consumption. Right now mine are not averaging that then sometimes to seem to gorge themselves on it. $6000 seems high to me for 30 cows even using the Crystalyx.

[angus9259]

They are consuming the "required" amount based on label feeding instructions on a lb/head/day rate to be effective on either the bovatec or IGR. Based on the label instructions, they are not over-consuming. That said, I don't know that it's doing any good - nor, I guess, do I know it's not.

They are 250 lb tubs.

Based on the comments so far, I may try a simple IGR or Rabon block this year for fly control and some salt and see what happens.

[angus9259]

If they're eatin 500lbs of mineral a month there's something going
On. Is It One of those minerals that has proteins in it too?

Not based on the label instructions - based on label instructions, they are eating what they need to. I'm NOT saying it's helpful, but just saying they aren't over consuming based on the label.

[angus9259]

I've got a pasture with 25 cows, which close to your number. After the initial gorging at a rate of one 50 lb bag in 2 weeks or so they level out to a nag every 30-45 days. Never worked anywhere or known of anyone's cattle consuming that amount.

Good data point. Is it a Crystalix scam? As mentioned, it's the amount they are "supposed" to be eating . . . in tubs.

[hooknline]

In one sentence you say it's not a protein tub, in the other you say it is.
What your talking about is a feed suppliment protein tub with minerals in it.
Not loose minerals.
And then you say your spending 6k a year. But theyre only eating 500 lbs a month. Those tubs would be 250 bucks each. Unless your leaving more details out and not even sure what it is you're putting out.

[highgrit]

What ever he's doing it's wrong. Angus you need somebody to help you, call your county ex. agent. Your spending 10 times as much as you need to.

[angus9259]

In one sentence you say it's not a protein tub, in the other you say it is.
What your talking about is a feed suppliment protein tub with minerals in it.
Not loose minerals.
And then you say your spending 6k a year. But theyre only eating 500 lbs a month. Those tubs would be 250 bucks each. Unless your leaving more details out and not even sure what it is you're putting out.

Crystalyx calls it a mineral tub with protein in it, not me. In fact, you can get various levels of protein in your mineral tub. They are designed so that they get all the mineral they need with whatever protein level you think your hay lacks.

The 500 lbs a month was a wrong number, it's 1000 lbs - 4 tubs a month - my deepest regrets for the innacuracy. They are about $120 each.

Now that we've picked all the fly shyt out of the pepper - does anyone NOT use mineral and what's your experience?

[angus9259]

What ever he's doing it's wrong. Angus you need somebody to help you, call your county ex. agent. Your spending 10 times as much as you need to.

Already did - my ag extension agent questions the overall value of minerals. They crystalyx rep says they are eating the required amount per head to be effective and suggested I drop a salt block on the top of each tub (even though the directions say not to). Now they aren't eating enough to get the required dose of IGR or Bovatec in their gut. My vet buys the same tubs.

Does anyone NOT use mineral and what do you see?

[hooknline]

If you don't need the protein just use loose mineral

[CKC1586]

What about selenium? If you drop the mineral supplement how you gonna get enough selenium to them???

[tom4018]

What ever he's doing it's wrong. Angus you need somebody to help you, call your county ex. agent. Your spending 10 times as much as you need to.

Already did - my ag extension agent questions the overall value of minerals. They crystalyx rep says they are eating the required amount per head to be effective and suggested I drop a salt block on the top of each tub (even though the directions say not to). Now they aren't eating enough to get the required dose of IGR or Bovatec in their gut. My vet buys the same tubs.

Does anyone NOT use mineral and what do you see?

All the Crystalyx tubs we ever used said to keep plain salt out all the time. Did they not have salt also?

"ALL CONSUMPTION FIGURES STATED HERE ARE APPROXIMATE. PROVIDE FREE ACCESS TO CLEAN, FRESH WATER AT ALL TIMES. CRYSTALYX® BGF-30™ SUPPLEMENT CONTAINS NO SALT. PROVIDE SALT FREE CHOICE. "

[JSCATTLE]

Loose mineral and loose salt is all I use . Your feeding protien tubs and they don't have enough mineral in it . I put out about 12 bags a year of salt and 12 bags a year of mineral on 50 head . Some times they go a month with out touching it and others I have to fill it 2 times in a month . Stop Useing tubs and go loose mineral etc . Cows can't get enough salt from a block .

[3waycross]

Loose mineral and loose salt is all I use . Your feeding protien tubs and they don't have enough mineral in it . I put out about 12 bags a year of salt and 12 bags a year of mineral on 50 head . Some times they go a month with out touching it and others I have to fill it 2 times in a month . Stop Useing tubs and go loose mineral etc . Cows can't get enough salt from a block .

You sure that's what you meant to say?

[dun]

Loose mineral and loose salt is all I use . Your feeding protien tubs and they don't have enough mineral in it . I put out about 12 bags a year of salt and 12 bags a year of mineral on 50 head . Some times they go a month with out touching it and others I have to fill it 2 times in a month . Stop Useing tubs and go loose mineral etc . Cows can't get enough salt from a block .

You sure that's what you meant to say?

From a block it would take a real long time of licking to get any real amount of salt.

[3waycross]

I can see it taking forever to get enuf mineral from a block but Salt. Last time i looked it dissolves pretty readily. If they werehn't getting enuf salt I would have to think they would stand there and lick it till it was gone.