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Mineral/salt cubes
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<blockquote data-quote="novaman" data-source="post: 750656" data-attributes="member: 2744"><p>Most forages are good sources of calcium, although some, like annual cereals and corn silage, are marginal to low in this mineral. Grain, on the other hand, is a poor source of calcium. </p><p></p><p>Calcium deficiency is not very common in animals on mostly forage diets. Deficiency can result in abnormal bone growth and reduced milk production. Cases of milk fever in beef cows are not as prevalent as they are among dairy cattle; however, some cases are reported every year. Prolonged deficiencies of calcium in late prepartum cows can also sometimes be associated with 'down cows'. This sometimes occurs when cows are fed only greenfeed throughout the winter without an adequate supply of mineral. </p><p></p><p>Low levels of vitamin D or high levels of phosphorus in the diet may also cause apparent deficiency of calcium. The calcium<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" />hosphorus ratio is important and should not be less than 1:5:1 (i.e., 1.5 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus) and not greater than 7:1. Cattle can tolerate being fed ratios of less than 1.5:1 however not for periods in excess of 30 days. </p><p></p><p>Table 1. Average macro-mineral analyses of selected Manitoba-grown feedstuffs</p><p> Calcium(%) Phosphorus(%) Ca<img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /> ratio Sulphur (%) </p><p>Alfalfa Hay 1.57 0.26 6.04 0.23</p><p>Grass Legume Hay 1.48 0.20 7.40 0.16</p><p>Grass Hay 0.75 0.15 5.00 0.18</p><p>Green Feed 0.48 0.16 3.00 0.18</p><p>Barley Grain 0.06 0.32 0.19 0.13</p><p>Native Hay 0.74 0.08 9.25 0.10</p><p></p><p></p><p>Sulphur</p><p>Most home grown feeds contain adequate amounts of sulphur to meet the needs of growing animals as well as dry pregnant beef cows. Lactating cows may be marginal in sulphur, in particular the heavy milkers.</p><p>Source: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives <a href="http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/beef/baa05s26.html" target="_blank">http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/beef/baa05s26.html</a></p><p></p><p></p><p>The other calcium deficiency occasionally observed in Oklahoma occurs when pregnant and lactating cows graze lush cool-season forage, such as small grains, brome, and fescue. These cool-season forages are high in phosphorus and low in calcium during immature stages of growth. When cows in late pregnancy and early lactation graze this type of forage, grass tetany is frequently observed. Originally, the problem was thought to be solely the result of magnesium deficiency. However, more recent studies have shown that tetany may result from calcium deficiency as well as from magnesium deficiency. Symptoms of tetany from deficiencies of both minerals are indistinguishable without blood tests and the treatment consists of intravenous injections of calcium and magnesium gluconate, which supplies both minerals. Cows grazing lush small grains pastures should be fed mineral mixes containing both calcium and magnesium.</p><p>Source: Oklahome State University <a href="http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2032/E-861web.pdf" target="_blank">http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2032/E-861web.pdf</a></p><p></p><p>So I can understand why you make the claim on Ca that you do. When you go out and read up on it there are mixed messages. If your pastures contain a decent amount of legumes you are better off than those of us (me at least) who have little to no legumes in the pasture. However, with Ca being as cheap as it is, is it really worth trying to cut it out of the mineral mix? It is obvious that Ca deficiencies are something that is very serious. I am sure plenty have and do go w/o Ca supplementation and do fine. I figure it is cheap insurance to have it available to the cows. I suppose it doesn't help either that I dairy as well so I am always fighting with Ca problems or at least trying to keep it from becoming a problem.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="novaman, post: 750656, member: 2744"] Most forages are good sources of calcium, although some, like annual cereals and corn silage, are marginal to low in this mineral. Grain, on the other hand, is a poor source of calcium. Calcium deficiency is not very common in animals on mostly forage diets. Deficiency can result in abnormal bone growth and reduced milk production. Cases of milk fever in beef cows are not as prevalent as they are among dairy cattle; however, some cases are reported every year. Prolonged deficiencies of calcium in late prepartum cows can also sometimes be associated with ‘down cows’. This sometimes occurs when cows are fed only greenfeed throughout the winter without an adequate supply of mineral. Low levels of vitamin D or high levels of phosphorus in the diet may also cause apparent deficiency of calcium. The calcium:phosphorus ratio is important and should not be less than 1:5:1 (i.e., 1.5 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus) and not greater than 7:1. Cattle can tolerate being fed ratios of less than 1.5:1 however not for periods in excess of 30 days. Table 1. Average macro-mineral analyses of selected Manitoba-grown feedstuffs Calcium(%) Phosphorus(%) Ca:P ratio Sulphur (%) Alfalfa Hay 1.57 0.26 6.04 0.23 Grass Legume Hay 1.48 0.20 7.40 0.16 Grass Hay 0.75 0.15 5.00 0.18 Green Feed 0.48 0.16 3.00 0.18 Barley Grain 0.06 0.32 0.19 0.13 Native Hay 0.74 0.08 9.25 0.10 Sulphur Most home grown feeds contain adequate amounts of sulphur to meet the needs of growing animals as well as dry pregnant beef cows. Lactating cows may be marginal in sulphur, in particular the heavy milkers. Source: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives [url]http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/livestock/beef/baa05s26.html[/url] The other calcium deficiency occasionally observed in Oklahoma occurs when pregnant and lactating cows graze lush cool-season forage, such as small grains, brome, and fescue. These cool-season forages are high in phosphorus and low in calcium during immature stages of growth. When cows in late pregnancy and early lactation graze this type of forage, grass tetany is frequently observed. Originally, the problem was thought to be solely the result of magnesium deficiency. However, more recent studies have shown that tetany may result from calcium deficiency as well as from magnesium deficiency. Symptoms of tetany from deficiencies of both minerals are indistinguishable without blood tests and the treatment consists of intravenous injections of calcium and magnesium gluconate, which supplies both minerals. Cows grazing lush small grains pastures should be fed mineral mixes containing both calcium and magnesium. Source: Oklahome State University [url]http://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2032/E-861web.pdf[/url] So I can understand why you make the claim on Ca that you do. When you go out and read up on it there are mixed messages. If your pastures contain a decent amount of legumes you are better off than those of us (me at least) who have little to no legumes in the pasture. However, with Ca being as cheap as it is, is it really worth trying to cut it out of the mineral mix? It is obvious that Ca deficiencies are something that is very serious. I am sure plenty have and do go w/o Ca supplementation and do fine. I figure it is cheap insurance to have it available to the cows. I suppose it doesn't help either that I dairy as well so I am always fighting with Ca problems or at least trying to keep it from becoming a problem. [/QUOTE]
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