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<blockquote data-quote="kyblockhead" data-source="post: 461888" data-attributes="member: 3603"><p>There are certainly some variations region by region on the mineral content of the forages that are fed which affects mineral intake. That should be taken into account when the mineral is formulated. Twenty years ago there was a lot of conversation and some trialwork about free choicing different mineral sources so cattle could eat what they needed. That doesn't work. Cattle are pretty much like kids, they'll eat what they like and not necessarily what they need. The only specific nutrients that cattle specifically crave seem to be salt, phosphorus and protein. Obviously, thirsty cows crave water and hungry cows crave some sort of feed. Salt is used as both an attractant as well as a limiter. There is a lot of difference in palatability among minerals due to a number of factors: (1) anything used to control dustiness? (2) palatability enhancers such as flavor packets, carriers, etcs. (3) nutrient profile (4) medications. Magnesium tends to be bitter but phosphorus source such as dicalcium phosphate doesn't seem to bother intake. Salt is used to limit intake in most mineral formulations. This has been proven to work especially when you talk about free choice medicated formulations which must be proven to the FDA or EPA to give regular consistent intake. If a 4 oz Rumensin mineral provides 180 mg of Rumensin/head/day they will not approve a formulation that allows 6 oz daily intake regularly. Mineral generally is not as palatable as feedstuffs so the level of salt doesn't have to be as high to make an impact on intake. There seems to be a lot of marketing theories cast about in the marketplace these days like cattle aren't smart enough to know what they should use so one company color codes their mineral based on the time of year. Big problem with that is mineral should be driven by production needs not the time of the year. Another major brand makes their mineral particle size large enough that it won't get hard in the mineral feeder and isn't dusty but the larger particle size cannot be as available in the rumen. Find a company that makes palatable mineral and can offer a product that fits your needs. Most herds that have 100 head (possibly less) are large enough to have a product made specifically for them not just an off the shelf product.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="kyblockhead, post: 461888, member: 3603"] There are certainly some variations region by region on the mineral content of the forages that are fed which affects mineral intake. That should be taken into account when the mineral is formulated. Twenty years ago there was a lot of conversation and some trialwork about free choicing different mineral sources so cattle could eat what they needed. That doesn't work. Cattle are pretty much like kids, they'll eat what they like and not necessarily what they need. The only specific nutrients that cattle specifically crave seem to be salt, phosphorus and protein. Obviously, thirsty cows crave water and hungry cows crave some sort of feed. Salt is used as both an attractant as well as a limiter. There is a lot of difference in palatability among minerals due to a number of factors: (1) anything used to control dustiness? (2) palatability enhancers such as flavor packets, carriers, etcs. (3) nutrient profile (4) medications. Magnesium tends to be bitter but phosphorus source such as dicalcium phosphate doesn't seem to bother intake. Salt is used to limit intake in most mineral formulations. This has been proven to work especially when you talk about free choice medicated formulations which must be proven to the FDA or EPA to give regular consistent intake. If a 4 oz Rumensin mineral provides 180 mg of Rumensin/head/day they will not approve a formulation that allows 6 oz daily intake regularly. Mineral generally is not as palatable as feedstuffs so the level of salt doesn't have to be as high to make an impact on intake. There seems to be a lot of marketing theories cast about in the marketplace these days like cattle aren't smart enough to know what they should use so one company color codes their mineral based on the time of year. Big problem with that is mineral should be driven by production needs not the time of the year. Another major brand makes their mineral particle size large enough that it won't get hard in the mineral feeder and isn't dusty but the larger particle size cannot be as available in the rumen. Find a company that makes palatable mineral and can offer a product that fits your needs. Most herds that have 100 head (possibly less) are large enough to have a product made specifically for them not just an off the shelf product. [/QUOTE]
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