how much mineral per ton of feed?

[kenojoe]

The next time I get feed I want to add the mineral directly to it when its being mixed. How much mineral do I add per ton? My cows continue to eat loose mineral like candy so I thought if I added it to the feed it would be more evenly consumed. That and the fact that the cost of mineral is getting rough. They will go through a 50 lb.sack pretty quick if I put it out free all of the time (8 cows).

 

[Bez!]

The next time I get feed I want to add the mineral directly to it when its being mixed. How much mineral do I add per ton? My cows continue to eat loose mineral like candy so I thought if I added it to the feed it would be more evenly consumed. That and the fact that the cost of mineral is getting rough. They will go through a 50 lb.sack pretty quick if I put it out free all of the time (8 cows).

This is a question you should be asking your feed specialist.

But - are you simply holding bred cows for spring? Holding yearlings over to grass? Putting weight on slaughter animals? Etc.

Do you know how much and what types of mineral and proteins and so on are in your hay? Have it tested.

Then sit down with your feed guy and ask him/her to produce the complete list of what you are already buying - in fact you should know this anyway - if you do not you are probably not buying the correct feed to begin with.

Then produce your feed plan for the specific needs for your cattle - as I have asked above.

Your feed producer can then produce a custom mix for you with all additives provided.

Most, if not all of the above consultation and testing as mentioned is usually completed for free if you buy your feed from the place that does the testing and planning for you.

Bez!

 

[Scotty]

The next time I get feed I want to add the mineral directly to it when its being mixed. How much mineral do I add per ton? My cows continue to eat loose mineral like candy so I thought if I added it to the feed it would be more evenly consumed. That and the fact that the cost of mineral is getting rough. They will go through a 50 lb.sack pretty quick if I put it out free all of the time (8 cows).

How many pounds is that and what type are you feeding. When I changed they ate a bag really quickly. They slowwed down and are at a fair constant. Some months more some less. Depends on the time of year and weather and on ...


Scotty

 

[kenojoe]

I am feeding 8 pregnant cows. The bags of mineral are 50lbs. and are whats recommended for my area by the county extension agent. The hay I have I cut from 3 different farms at three different times of the summer. Some good some not so good. I'm in a small town and the feed mill doesn't analyze hay and by the time I would get results back from the county extension winter will be half over. If there is such a thing as a ballpark figure on how much mineral per ton of feed that is what I'm after. I realize there are many variables in a proper feed mix, I'd just like a rough idea. Thanks Joe

 

[dun]

Since the county agent knows the minerals you're using, ask him/her how much to feed.

dun

 

[Bez!]

Since the county agent knows the minerals you're using, ask him/her how much to feed.

dun

You know it never ceases to amaze me that folks cannot take a sample and send it fedex to the next county. Results back in 10 days.

I would have to say that you are on the mark Dun - otherwise it will not happen.

Makes my 5 hour drive to get some tests completed look pretty danged foolish if a fellow thinks an out of county search is a big deal.

Outa' this one.

Bez'

 

[msscamp]

They will go through a 50 lb.sack pretty quick if I put it out free all of the time (8 cows).

Define 'quick' - a week, a month, 2 months?

 

[kenojoe]

You know it never ceases to amaze me that some folks think they have to have an arrogant answer when someone asks for help. If I knew all the answers I wouldn't have to ask questions. Dun, thank you for your patience with us ignorant folks. I will ask the agent what he thinks. As they close offices to consolidate resources in my state, the agent is always busy and sometimes hard to catch.

 

[Bez!]

You know it never ceases to amaze me that some folks think they have to have an arrogant answer when someone asks for help. If I knew all the answers I wouldn't have to ask questions. Dun, thank you for your patience with us ignorant folks. I will ask the agent what he thinks. As they close offices to consolidate resources in my state, the agent is always busy and sometimes hard to catch.

You certainly took my comment the wrong way - not an offence I suppose but no offence intended.

Rather I was pointing at myself.

Bez!

 

[DD RANCH]

Figure out how many ounces per head per day you could just top dress your mineral over your feed.

My mineral calls for 2 to 4 oz per day. So figure you are feeding 10#s of grain per day per animal 8 cows would use 1 ton in 25 days if you mix 50#s of mineral with it that would figure out to 4 oz. per day.

 

[hayray]

My last mix had 7500 lb.s total and I added 70 lb.s of Purina Dairy mineral, which was about .93% of the ration. I was above lower ranges for all major minerals. This Purina mineral is 19% calcium, 16% phosphorous and has other minerals. I balanced the ration based on feeding 10 lb.s grain with 22 lb.s 6 % protein hay and 1 lb. ration a day with my 13 % hay for my dry cows. My newest batch I used a super mineral which has 1/3 more concentration so I had to re-calculate the concentration of mineral. So first you do need to look at the tag on the bag and see concentrations of mineral and also have your forage tested to see how much mineral is in your hay. Then after you do your mix have it tested to see were you are at. I send my sample to Litchfield Analytical in Litchfield, MI. I go to the UPS store, they package and make shiping lable for me and 2 days later I get results faxed or e-mailed to me.

 

[lakading]

50# per ton works well for us.

 

[aplusmnt]

To mix mineral in with the feed, would you not have to be feeding all the animals the same all the time? If you are feeding a bull that is growing, heifers, or wet cows all the same feed but at different amounts per head wouldn't it be hard to figure the mineral so they all got the proper amount out of the same bag?

Then when the grass starts growing and you slow down the feeding, they might not get what they need then?

If the cows are eating lots of mineral would it be because they need them or do they eat them just because they like the taste? Ours have had times they eat a bunch but eventually show down or at times seem like they eat none.

 

[rk]

There are a number of factors that affect free-choice mineral consumption. Requirements change - in general they're higher in early lactation and lower for a dry cow. What probably affects it more is the grass. Warm season grasses usually provide more minerals when they are early in their growth cycle and you can expect lower consumption. When that same grass turns dormant/mature or is dry, there is less mineral content and usually cows will eat more mineral. If you have very lush, high moisture grass, sometimes you'll see very high mineral consumption....cows are eating mineral as a source of dry matter....they'll back off the mineral if hay is offered or when grass moisture content goes down. This is all assuming you have a decently palatable mineral to begin with. MHO