Mineral/salt cubes

[bse]

I sent a pm if you didnt get it let me know im kinda new at this.

 

[TexasBred]

This is what ive been useing. It's called a "range block" from the local farm store. it weighs 33 lbs. and i go through one about every other week. At first it was about every 4 days, but they tapered of quick. Is this alright?

Crude fat ...Min...0.50%
Crude Fiber...Max...6.50%
Calcium(CA) ...Min...6.00%
Calcium (CA)...Max....7.00%
Phosphorus (P)...Min...1.00%
Salt (NaCI)...Min...16.00%
Salt (NaCI)...Max...19.00%
Potassium (K)...Min...0.70%
Selenium (SE)...Min...2 ppm
Iodine ( I )...Min...10ppm
Vitamin A...Min. IU/lb...30,000
Vitamin D...Min. IU/lb...7,500

Or should i be switching over to loose mineral too?

I can't quite figure out exactly what this is. Quite a bit of calcium and salt (cheap) and very little of anything else. Don't know what you're paying for it but I'd switch to a good dense mineral (loose--not a mineral block) and go from there.

 

[Santas and Duhram Reds]

I have heard that cattle don't need calcium.

My dad insists on using sulphur blocks with his cattle. I provide the mineral and he provides the sulphur. Not exactly a fair trade but I can't really convince him otherwise.

 

[Cowdirt]

Hey tncattle i also live in midtn i use the right now mineral from cargill that 1982vet has in the previous post ive used it for 2 years now and the hair color is better (black not brownish) and they seem to be performing better. there mineral is formlated for seasons by different colors and i think it is made for different regions as well. in the summer i use the mineral with fly control. the only draw back is loose mineral is not cheap no matter which one you use but i think so far its worth it to me.

Where do you get it and how much does it cost?

Thanks

tncattle, I have used the Right Now minerals and have been very satisfied with them. They have different formulas for different seasons and environments. One feature I really like is the weather proofing that prevents them hardening when wet. They are a little pricey. Year in and year out I have used the Co-op minerals available from Tn. farmers Co-op. They have stores and branches in most small towns in Tn. Theirs too are formulated for different conditions and their employees are knowledgeable to help you. I am using the #678 co-op mineral and it is now $20/50lbs. I don't want to be too hard on TSC but it's my belief that it's not the place to shop for many things. Get acquainted with your local co-op or an equal farm and ranch supplier.

 

[1982vett]

Hey tncattle i also live in midtn i use the right now mineral from cargill that 1982vet has in the previous post ive used it for 2 years now and the hair color is better (black not brownish) and they seem to be performing better. there mineral is formlated for seasons by different colors and i think it is made for different regions as well. in the summer i use the mineral with fly control. the only draw back is loose mineral is not cheap no matter which one you use but i think so far its worth it to me.

Where do you get it and how much does it cost?

Thanks

Paid $21.95 a month ago for a bag of Emerald Right Now.

 

[bse]

paying 19.50 for gold. the color here now is gold because buttercups are blooming.

 

[SRBeef]

This is what ive been useing. It's called a "range block" from the local farm store. it weighs 33 lbs. and i go through one about every other week. At first it was about every 4 days, but they tapered of quick. Is this alright?

Crude fat ...Min...0.50%
Crude Fiber...Max...6.50%
Calcium(CA) ...Min...6.00%
Calcium (CA)...Max....7.00%
Phosphorus (P)...Min...1.00%
Salt (NaCI)...Min...16.00%
Salt (NaCI)...Max...19.00%
Potassium (K)...Min...0.70%
Selenium (SE)...Min...2 ppm
Iodine ( I )...Min...10ppm
Vitamin A...Min. IU/lb...30,000
Vitamin D...Min. IU/lb...7,500

Or should i be switching over to loose mineral too?

I can't quite figure out exactly what this is. Quite a bit of calcium and salt (cheap) and very little of anything else. Don't know what you're paying for it but I'd switch to a good dense mineral (loose--not a mineral block) and go from there.

Compare the above to Mineralyx:

Crude Protein, min ............................................................6.0%
Crude Fat, min ....................................................................3.0%
Crude Fiber, max ...............................................................2.0%
Calcium (Ca), min .............................................................3.5%
Calcium (Ca), max ............................................................4.5%
Phosphorus (P), min ..........................................................4.0%
Salt (NaCl), .......................................................... None Added
Potassium (K), min ............................................................2.5%
Magnesium (Mg), min ......................................................3.0%
Cobalt (Co), min ..............................................................5 ppm
Copper (Cu), min ........................................................ 500 ppm
Iodine (I), min ................................................................25 ppm
Manganese (Mn), min .............................................2,000 ppm
Selenium (Se), min ...................................................... 6.6 ppm
Zinc (Zn), min ..........................................................1,500 ppm
Vitamin A, min ..................................................100,000 IU/lb
Vitamin D, min .................................................... 10,000 IU/lb
Vitamin E, min ..........................................................100 IU/lb

The copper has something to do with the coat but there are several fairly expensive but important things missing in the top block, at least for my area. Mineralyx is labeled for cattle grazing or on hay.

Jim

 

[novaman]

I have heard that cattle don't need calcium.

My dad insists on using sulphur blocks with his cattle. I provide the mineral and he provides the sulphur. Not exactly a fair trade but I can't really convince him otherwise.

Two things popped out at me when I was reading this post. First, cattle do need Ca, especially lactating cows. If they don't have enough you got problems. I always have a couple cows every year that get milk fever which is basically a lack of enough calcium for muscle control and other functions. The second thing is the use of sulfur blocks. I have been told that you should never use them. Cattle get more than enough sulfur from other sources that supplementing it is a waste. Again this may be my area only but it's what I have heard from several sources. In fact, I have issues with my cattle getting too much sulfur. I can't use as much distillers as I would like because of the sulfur content. Anyway the point is I would use plain old white salt regardless of who I am or where I am at and use the loose mineral to supplement anything else they should need. Putting any kind of mineral (besides the sodium and chlorine of course) in a salt block is a complete waste.

 

[iowafarmer]

In fact, I have issues with my cattle getting too much sulfur. I can't use as much distillers as I would like because of the sulfur content.

You might want to look into a co-products balancer. We have never had to use them but I know Kent Feeds has some. Might be worth looking into. here is a link http://www.kentfeeds.com/products/beef/ ... ancers.php

 

[novaman]

In fact, I have issues with my cattle getting too much sulfur. I can't use as much distillers as I would like because of the sulfur content.

You might want to look into a co-products balancer. We have never had to use them but I know Kent Feeds has some. Might be worth looking into. here is a link http://www.kentfeeds.com/products/beef/ ... ancers.php

The problem isn't balancing the minerals in the diet. The problem is they are getting too much total sulfur in the diet. Some have even had issues with polio as a result of the high sulfur levels.

 

[Santas and Duhram Reds]

Cattle generally get all the calcium they need from forage (especially legumes). Extra calcium is not needed. Phosphorus may be needed so the cow can utilize the calcium they take in but adding calcium to their intake is a waste.

Sulphur is an old age prevention medication for repelling flies, and ward off disease.

If you have PEM it sounds like you have high levels of sulphur in your water. Either that or you need to lay off the grains and rely more on forages.

 

[TexasBred]

Extra calcium is not needed. Phosphorus may be needed so the cow can utilize the calcium they take in but adding calcium to their intake is a waste.

Not necessarily. Their needs to be a proper balance between CA as high levels of phosphorus impair calcium absorption even tho it might appear to be plentiful in the forage...conversely the same applies to excessive CA inhibiting the utilization of available P. There are many interactions amoung the various minerals, some beneficial, some harmful.

 

[novaman]

Cattle generally get all the calcium they need from forage (especially legumes). Extra calcium is not needed. Phosphorus may be needed so the cow can utilize the calcium they take in but adding calcium to their intake is a waste.

Sulphur is an old age prevention medication for repelling flies, and ward off disease.

If you have PEM it sounds like you have high levels of sulphur in your water. Either that or you need to lay off the grains and rely more on forages.

Every mineral I've ever seen has calcium in it. To make the blanket statement that extra calcium is not needed is a mistake. Maybe there are some areas that don't need it but the Ca ratio is very important to maintain. You're right I do have high sulfate content in my water. The point I was trying to make is added sulfur is not necessary as far as I've been told by a couple of nutritionists and mineral specialists. The amount of sulfur necessary for a cow to maintain herself in minimal and there is some in nearly anything a cow eats.

 

[Santas and Duhram Reds]

My statement is no more of a blanket statement than yours. Ca can be sufficiently fulfilled with a proper forage diet. Sulphur can be fulfilled with most cereal grains. Both can be supplemented. Both may or may not be necessary in any given environment. If you recall, my initial post about sulphur was not a positive one but it does have natural benefits.

 

[TexasBred]

My statement is no more of a blanket statement than yours. Ca can be sufficiently fulfilled with a proper forage diet. Sulphur can be fulfilled with most cereal grains. Both can be supplemented. Both may or may not be necessary in any given environment. If you recall, my initial post about sulphur was not a positive one but it does have natural benefits.

Many things "can be" but "are they"? To say something is unnecessary or a waste without knowing the particular situation is a "blanket statement". Huge areas of the US are calcium deficient and folks have to add tons of calcium to the land just to manage Ph and grow grass. So yes, the forage can contain all the calcium cattle need but does it? Do you feed the soil or feed the cow? Remove the calcium from a bag of mineral and the price of the mineal will more than double unless it's replaced with cheap filler.

 

[Santas and Duhram Reds]

Both may or may not be necessary in any given environment.

I guess this is as big of a blanket statement as you can get.

 

[TexasBred]

Both may or may not be necessary in any given environment.

I guess this is as big of a blanket statement as you can get.

No that is your statement but is not a blanket statement as it recognizes the elements as being individual and different and the need of each individual cow varying depending on environment among other things. A blanket statement is something like "adding calcium is a waste". That groups millions of cattle on billions of acres of land into one group covered by one blanket.

 

[Santas and Duhram Reds]

you mean like this

"added sulfur is not necessary"

A blanket statement can also be a statement that covers all aspects.

 

[TexasBred]

you mean like this

"added sulfur is not necessary"

A blanket statement can also be a statement that covers all aspects.

You can try. :!:

 

[novaman]

you mean like this

"added sulfur is not necessary"

A blanket statement can also be a statement that covers all aspects.

Are you just trying to argue? If you would quote the rest of what I said, "as far as I've been told by a couple of nutritionists and mineral specialists". I made that statement because it was professionals who gave me that information.