DIY Salt feed vs Tubs

[StrojanHerefords]

I have become curious about salt feed and I decided to run the numbers.
At a nearby farm center, a 225 lb. 30% protein tub is $164 for 67.5 lbs of protein. At the same farm center, 200lbs of soybean meal and 100 lbs of salt is $136 for 88 lbs. of all natural protein.
$2.43 per pound of protein for the tub versus $1.43 per pound of protein for the salt feed. Am I on to something?

 

[kenny thomas]

The problem is see with that is 100 lb of salt is less than $20. With soybean meal costing 300 to 320 per ton that's another $30 or $32 for 200lb of meal. So approximately $50 for 300lb. .16 a lb. Lots cheaper just mix your own.

 

[Brute 23]

That's the cost to buy the protein, not the cost to feed the protein. That could be a big difference.

The other thing to consider with feeds is what is it causing the cow to do as a whole. Is it encouraging them to eat other forage or hindering it. How does salt effect teeth long term.

 

[kenny thomas]

That's the cost to buy the protein, not the cost to feed the protein. That could be a big difference.

I think with that mix it can be fed free choice just like mineral but I might be wrong.

 

[kenny thomas]

Im thinking back to something that we used years ago.
100lb white salt
100lb soybean meal
50lb distillers grain
50lb magnesium ( not the high mag mineral but 45% magnesium it seems)
50lb calcium.
Mixed in an old concrete mixer or even by hand. If the feed mill wasn't real busy they would mix it for me.
I put it out free choice just like mineral. Not sure where I came up with the formula but it worked. Guess I need to mix some.

 

[wbvs58]

Im thinking back to something that we used years ago.
100lb white salt
100lb soybean meal
50lb distillers grain
50lb magnesium ( not the high mag mineral but 45% magnesium it seems)
50lb calcium.
Mixed in an old concrete mixer or even by hand. If the feed mill wasn't real busy they would mix it for me.
I put it out free choice just like mineral. Not sure where I came up with the formula but it worked. Guess I need to mix some.

Kenny, that seems to be more of a mineral mix for Grass Tetany rather than a protein supplement. I think the soybean meal and distillers grain is there more as an attractant so they consume enough of the magnesium.

Ken

 

[kenny thomas]

Kenny, that seems to be more of a mineral mix for Grass Tetany rather than a protein supplement. I think the soybean meal and distillers grain is there more as an attractant so they consume enough of the magnesium.

Ken

You are probably correct since we grazed most of the winter. Im gonna have to think on that. As I have said before I really don't need a protein supplement.