Calculating needed minerals?????

[BMoss]

I'm looking for easy suggestions to get me started on a mineral program for my young heffers.
I've searched thru posts, read lots of University studies, asked all the old timers I know, and realize to get this down, it's going to take me awhile. (Can be darned confusing---Too much of this---not enough of that)
I have pastures going dry, and don't want these girls to suffer because I haven't learned what I'm dong yet.
Aside from local feed store, we have Tractor Supply and Attwoods Farm and Ranch.

 

[msscamp]

I'm looking for easy suggestions to get me started on a mineral program for my young heffers.
I've searched thru posts, read lots of University studies, asked all the old timers I know, and realize to get this down, it's going to take me awhile. (Can be darned confusing---Too much of this---not enough of that)
I have pastures going dry, and don't want these girls to suffer because I haven't learned what I'm dong yet.
Aside from local feed store, we have Tractor Supply and Attwoods Farm and Ranch.

Talk to your county extension office, your local feed store(s) - and I do mean feed stores because, generally speaking, they have been in the area long enough to know what needs to be addressed - and neighbors who run cattle (not necessarily in that order). Don't forget to include your goals and circumstances for these cattle, because that can make a difference in the type of mineral selected. Google mineral programs and deficiency's in your area - along with palatibility of specific brands - tally up the results, ask specific questions on here as needed, and make a decision.

 

[TheBullLady]

The easiest way to manage your minerals is to find a good mix for your heifers that you can leave out "free choice".. maybe in a bunk or a mineral feeder you buy. Then you'll only have to make sure you check it periodically and make sure they always have some available. They'll eat it as they need it.

 

[aplusmnt]

I'm looking for easy suggestions to get me started on a mineral program for my young heffers.
I've searched thru posts, read lots of University studies, asked all the old timers I know, and realize to get this down, it's going to take me awhile. (Can be darned confusing---Too much of this---not enough of that)
I have pastures going dry, and don't want these girls to suffer because I haven't learned what I'm dong yet.
Aside from local feed store, we have Tractor Supply and Attwoods Farm and Ranch.

Talk to your county extension office, your local feed store(s) - and I do mean feed stores because, generally speaking, they have been in the area long enough to know what needs to be addressed - and neighbors who run cattle (not necessarily in that order). Don't forget to include your goals and circumstances for these cattle, because that can make a difference in the type of mineral selected. Google mineral programs and deficiency's in your area - along with palatibility of specific brands - tally up the results, ask specific questions on here as needed, and make a decision.

I will second this, along with your vet, if you have a good vet that you can drop in and ask he should be able to help you. Either of these three should be able to help you. Even though there are knowledgeable people on here, the best advice you will get will be someone in your area that is familiar with your Grass and its current situation. Most important thing is make sure they got something while you are trying to figure it out.

Surely there is a neighbor that is an experienced Cattleman that would be willing to help you also.

 

[msscamp]

I'm looking for easy suggestions to get me started on a mineral program for my young heffers.
I've searched thru posts, read lots of University studies, asked all the old timers I know, and realize to get this down, it's going to take me awhile. (Can be darned confusing---Too much of this---not enough of that)
I have pastures going dry, and don't want these girls to suffer because I haven't learned what I'm dong yet.
Aside from local feed store, we have Tractor Supply and Attwoods Farm and Ranch.

Talk to your county extension office, your local feed store(s) - and I do mean feed stores because, generally speaking, they have been in the area long enough to know what needs to be addressed - and neighbors who run cattle (not necessarily in that order). Don't forget to include your goals and circumstances for these cattle, because that can make a difference in the type of mineral selected. Google mineral programs and deficiency's in your area - along with palatibility of specific brands - tally up the results, ask specific questions on here as needed, and make a decision.

I will second this, along with your vet, if you have a good vet that you can drop in and ask he should be able to help you.

Good point, and one I overlooked.

 

[dj]

A soil test and hay test will show what the deficiencies are.
For your individual place. This info will help your vet, extension agent or knowledgeable feed store help with your choice.

 

[Dave]

I am not too high on asking for advise at the feed store. "Knowledgeable feed store help" is great if you can find it. Around here most people working at a feed store are minimum wage cashiers. They know how to ring up a sale and how to stock the shelves. They get pretty good at bluffing an answer but they don't really know the right answer.

 

[dun]

I am not too high on asking for advise at the feed store. "Knowledgeable feed store help" is great if you can find it. Around here most people working at a feed store are minimum wage cashiers. They know how to ring up a sale and how to stock the shelves. They get pretty good at bluffing an answer but they don't really know the right answer.

You need to find another feed store. Some places have very good help, others the help stinks. Find the places with the quality help and patronize them so they can stay in business.

dun

 

[AngusLimoX]

A soil test and hay test will show what the deficiencies are.
For your individual place. This info will help your vet, extension agent or knowledgeable feed store help with your choice.

Could you expound on this dj, maybe I am not asking for the right things from my lab, but the results of tests I see are not a lot of help when identifying mineral or vitamin deficiencies in feed or especially the soil.

Good job taking care of business before the problems show up BMoss.

 

[dcara]

I found a guy northwest of Greenville a few months back that will do a forage test on samples you send him, send you a copy of the report, and provide recommendations for mineral mixes that complement the forage depending on what your doing with your cattle. He provides this service for free if you buy the minerals from him. He may know someone in your area. Let me know if you want his contact info.

 

[aplusmnt]

I am not too high on asking for advise at the feed store. "Knowledgeable feed store help" is great if you can find it. Around here most people working at a feed store are minimum wage cashiers. They know how to ring up a sale and how to stock the shelves. They get pretty good at bluffing an answer but they don't really know the right answer.

You need to find another feed store. Some places have very good help, others the help stinks. Find the places with the quality help and patronize them so they can stay in business.

dun

I agree with dun, our feed store, has one kid that loads the feed usually. I would not ask him, but the older guy that works there or the owner both know exactly what I should be buying. I would trust them totally. It is not hard to know who you should be asking and who you should not.

Ps. Crowder if you are a minimum wage employee at that feed store you work at please disregard those pm's I sent you a while back about mineral ;-)

 

[dj]

A soil test and hay test will show what the deficiencies are.
For your individual place. This info will help your vet, extension agent or knowledgeable feed store help with your choice.

Could you expound on this dj, maybe I am not asking for the right things from my lab, but the results of tests I see are not a lot of help when identifying mineral or vitamin deficiencies in feed or especially the soil.

Good job taking care of business before the problems show up BMoss.

The(forage) lab I use calls it a class 4 test. Different labs call it different things.
A class 4 test will tell me
mag,clacium,phosphorus,potassium, umm and i think 2 more that I can't remember and am too laazy to look it up. Contact your lab.
The soil test(basic) will tell you mag,cal,phos,pot and I think sulpher. For secondary minerals the test costs more and I can't remember which or what they will identify. Again contact the lab you work with to see what they can or can't do.

could be we are running up aginst the local/regional thing and the labs in your area don't/won't do this??

if you want the name of the forage lab pm me.
the soil test I get done through my feed store so don't know who they are using sorry.

 

[AngusLimoX]

could be we are running up aginst the local/regional thing and the labs in your area don't/won't do this??

Nope dj I think the problem is ole ALX doesn't know whats available, and up until you hit a health problem it is easy to let the mineral part slide thinking your feed/pasture is good enough with a few generic mineral blocks or tubs thrown in.( With the drought I expect more than a few to get caught, maybe not until next calving season ).

Thanks guys.

 

[Dave]

I have half a dozen within driving distance. Half of them are branches of the same chain store. The oldest daughter was an assistant manager at one of the branches. And she don't know much. I would say 90% of the counter people at those stores are young girls 18-25 years old. Another store cators to the horse people. The help there are all horsey woman who don't know much about cows. The best feed store which is the one I do business with only one of the 7 counter people actually owns cattle or has worked with cattle. One is seven isn't real good odds and that is at the best store.
I have stood there and listened to the counter person give poor advise and kept my mouth shut figuring it was none of my business. Then two months later the guy changes jobs and is working the counter at the lumberyard. This is a middle aged man who if you didn't know any better a person might think he knew what he was talking about.
I don't know that I would recommend a soil test to decide what mineral program to use. If I wanted a customized mineral mix a forage test is definately in order. A soil test would show what the plants may be lacking. A forage test can show what the cattle may be lacking in their diet. A forage test for all the essentual minrals is going to cost a little.
I think I would do as The BullLady said early on in this thread and get a standard mix for your area and feed it free choice. Unless you have a specific problem that you are trying to correct, you can feed a lot of minerals for the price of a forage test.
Dave

 

[john250]

I . Unless you have a specific problem that you are trying to correct, you can feed a lot of minerals for the price of a forage test.
Dave

I respectfully disagree.
A forage test cost my salesman $40. That is an extensive test which indentifies trace minerals (e.g. Cu, Mg, Ca, Se, and several others) plus the standard test for net energy, protein, etc).
I buy my minerals and supplements from him so he paid the tab, but it would have been $40 for me at an independent lab.
That really isn't even close to the cost of having a mineral problem.
I paid the coop $36 for two detailed soil tests on some land I'm reseeding. The information will save me way more than I paid.

BTW, I only disagree on this point. Your post was very informed, on the whole.

 

[dj]

OK here's a link that will help you figure out your trace mineral needs.
http://beef.unl.edu/learning/needscalculator.shtml
Notice that it calls for knowing the mineral content of GRAZED forage. Now you can get you sissors out and go clip some grass and send it in for a forage test, like hay. Or you could get a soil sample to know what was available to for the plants to take up. Our you can sit back and think dj's full of it.
What ever makes you comfortable.
Now that I think of it, I am full of it. I'm going to save myself some time, trouble, and forget those tests. Buy a mineral that supplies everything the cows might need for daily comsumption. Then look at the full mineral feeder cause the cows don't like all the phosphous and won't eat it and think I'm saving money and raising the best cows on the block.

It has been reported that mineral concentrations in both soils and plants affect the mineral status of grazing livestock (Towers and Clark 1983).

 

[Angus Guy]

My question is what kind of feed store is this that doesn't have access or on staff a feed specialist or nutritionalist?

 

[Crowderfarms]

I am not too high on asking for advise at the feed store. "Knowledgeable feed store help" is great if you can find it. Around here most people working at a feed store are minimum wage cashiers. They know how to ring up a sale and how to stock the shelves. They get pretty good at bluffing an answer but they don't really know the right answer.

You need to find another feed store. Some places have very good help, others the help stinks. Find the places with the quality help and patronize them so they can stay in business.

dun

Ps. Crowder if you are a minimum wage employee at that feed store you work at please disregard those pm's I sent you a while back about mineral ;-)

Not a problem Aplus...Heck, I can't even find any HONEST help to even hire. If you own a Feed Store, and dont have a Nutritionist at your disposal, you are S.O.L.

Every area has certain deficiencies or abundances of Minerals.What might be fit for Montana may not be of any value in this part of the Country.I've said it several times here, and I'll say it again. Cattle need a lot more than that Ol' rip off trace Mineral block.

Since we've switched brands of Minerals a couple years ago, I have noticed some remarkable changes in overall condition of Brood Cows,with breed back time, and overall healthy slick appearances. I attribute a lot of this with their Calves also.I cant stress enough how important a balanced free choice Mineral program is.

 

[msscamp]

I am not too high on asking for advise at the feed store. "Knowledgeable feed store help" is great if you can find it. Around here most people working at a feed store are minimum wage cashiers. They know how to ring up a sale and how to stock the shelves. They get pretty good at bluffing an answer but they don't really know the right answer.

You need to find another feed store. Some places have very good help, others the help stinks. Find the places with the quality help and patronize them so they can stay in business.

dun

I agree. The local feed store I patronize has a top notch girl in the front who has answered many of my questions and provided top-notch help - as opposed to the other feed store in town that provides patronizing answers to my questions.