Mixing ratios in a salt mineral program.

[Amo]

OK, so far my brain isn't working real well tonight. I think I know the answer, and not real crazy about it. Been thinking about it on the way home tonight. So thought Id see if anybody else knows the answer.

Ive been mixing my mineral 2 bags of mineral to 1 salt. The mineral is formulated for a 3-4 oz consumption. This mix has been working fairly well. Infact most of the winter Id say its been less than that....my hay must be fairly good I guess.

Anyhow I am wanting to mix a new product into it to controll coxcidious. This product has enough of a carrier into to allow at the right ammount of grams when consumed at 3 oz. It was my only option unless I went with the pure product.

So my question is how exactly do I mix this? Id like to keep them consuming the same ammount of salt/min mix. If I throw in product X then that will delute the ammount of the rest of it. Not a huge issue, but would be nice if I could. I don't think it will happen...can dream though! And to answer the question....I had a ton of mineral bought already for calving through early summer, didn't want to buy another ton and a half (minimum for special order)with this product already mixed into it just to save the hassel of figuring this out. If I was running one bag of salt and mineral, Id just throw in another bag of the stuff I just bought. Still wouldn't be what Id want, but Id be getting the 3 oz of the new stuff....kinda. I can run 1 bag of mineral to 1/2 of salt and a bag of the new stuff. I think thats about as close as I can get. To top it off my salt boxes can only hold 150#.

I was really hoping to get something where Id mix say 10# of new stuff to 150# of my regular mix. Just got home and haven't gotten out my math brain and scratch paper to play with fractions and ratios yet. Algebra wasn't my best subject, so thought Id pick some brains.

 

[TexasBred]

Go to your local feed store and see if they can order you a bag of Bovatec 91 from their feed manufacturer. This is highly concentrated so they may not want to sell it to you. If you can get it mix 8 oz. of the Bovatec 91 into each 50 lb. bag of mineral. Should work well for you at such a low inclusion rate at your vitamins and minerals in the mix is not diluted either. Bovatec is a very safe product so no worry about them getting to much. Main concern is to keep intake up. I have no idea what it will cost you but figure on 7-8 bucks a pound at least...maybe even more.

 

[Amo]

Ya that was my other option. I think it was going to be $400 for 50#. Vet was hoping for something like a B 40. Talked to the place I got it from to see if I could return it this morning. They said yes. He said he couldn't tell me how to use the stuff I bought, but he said it was a good decision to change gears.

This same person mentioned to use a pelleted form to gaurnetee consumption and top dress it on my hay when I feed it. Basicly the same stuff like what I had just in a pellet so I wouldn't need feed bunks and not have as much waste. My mineral man sells a tub with bovatec in it for stockers. At the consumption level it gives enough bovatec to do what I need done according to the vet. He is very anti tub. I know its going to cost more per head. Ive had very good results using tubs on consumption. With that said I haven't fed many tubs either. Right now mineral consumption is very low. I think intakes would be better with a tub, plus I would think the calves would be more likely to "nibble" on a mollasis tub more often, than lick out of a salt box. Vet don't like tubs. Says one cow might over eat and another won't touch it at all. Isn't mineral consumption kinda the same way though?

Thanks TB

 

[TexasBred]

Yessir it is. You never have any guarantee that each cow is getting exactly the amount she needs. The tubs will work fine if they have enough Bovatec in them. Just keep in mind that they are usually low consumption so the Bovatec needs to be included at a higher rate than in a pelleted feed which would be feed at several pounds per head per day. Tubs are expensive but also convenient and all the cattle will most likely lick them. Just make sure you put out enough of them to keep a few old boss cows from controlling them.

 

[Amo]

Thanks for your quick responce TB! I don't remember all the milligrams etc. IIRC if the consumption on the tub is .4# it would give the cow 40 or 60 milligrams (I think?) of bovatec. Right after I got done talking to the feed man I called the vet back and he said that would be adiquate.

Guess what made me think about changing from the mineral mix was the idea of calves maybe more likely to like on a molassis (it would be a crystalyx) tub vs eating mineral. I realize if the bovatec goes through the cow it gets the job done, but if it would get into the calf as well if one of them did get coxi it should nail it there as well. Kinda guess thats why Im leaning that way.