Salt and mineral blocks

[Florida cowgirl]

Do you need salt and mineral blocks at each water source all year long. Also somebody mention Salt blocks with fly control. Does it work and is it pricey because I think my Dad sprayed for cows for flies. :heart: :heart:

 

[callmefence]

Do you need salt and mineral blocks at each water source all year long. Also somebody mention Salt blocks with fly control. Does it work and is it pricey because I think my Dad sprayed for cows for flies. :heart: :heart:

I keep trace mineral blocks out at all times. Near water sources and other high traffic areas.

 

[1982vett]

Keep loose mineral and salt out at all times. Use fly control as needed.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

If you are wanting to be a good cattle manager by feeding mineral - GREAT!!! But, a cow might need to eat a block of mineralized salt blocks per day to get an adequate amount of the few minerals it offers. All cattle need salt & mineral, but I highly recommend biting the bullet & feed granular mineral in some type of feeder. There are a tremendous number of suppliers and the formula would depend on your area and the time of year in some cases.

 

[Rafter S]

Keep loose mineral and salt out at all times.

What he said. Don't bother with the blocks.

 

[Lucky_P]

As previously stated, the likelihood that cattle can actually consume enough from a 'trace mineralized salt block' to meet their needs is pretty slim... and if you're located in an area where soils are deficient in copper, those red TM salt blocks will actually make copper deficiency in your livestock worse - due to the high levels of Iron Oxide that are added as a filler/coloring agent... even though Iron oxide(rust) is virtually unavailable as a utilizable iron source for the animal, it still competetively blocks intestinal absorption sites where copper would be absorbed.

All mineral supplementation needs are LOCAL... get and feed a free-choice mineral mix that's been formulated specifically for your area.

 

[BRYANT]

All mineral supplementation needs are LOCAL... get and feed a free-choice mineral mix that's been formulated specifically for your area.

There are a tremendous number of suppliers and the formula would depend on your area and the time of year in some cases.

I have heard this many times on this site , but don't know I have ever seen where anyone has ever told how to find out which mineral is needed. may have and I missed it ????
I have looked on Wind and Rain mineral bags and there was nothing saying anything about the area to use it in. I have a label in front of me now off of Vigortone 3V5 S Cinnagar . says nothing about area or seasons , other than all weather formula. so how do you know. Also seem like it could change from one place to the other I have seen deer dig big holes around where something was leaked at oil sites always thought that was some kind of a mineral they were after ??? if so that place may have something that the one across the road would not. so how do you find out or is it really that important to know or just feed a good mixture and not worry about it ???

 

[ddd75]

blocks are a waste of money and on top of that they'll eat into the ground

 

[callmefence]

blocks are a waste of money and on top of that they'll eat into the ground

I don't consider either a waste of money. Loose mineral is definitely superior. And I use it especially when grazing pure annual forage.
However when cattle are on pasture and getting a variety of diet I don't worry much about it. Loose is still out, but what if a feeder is turned over runs out etc. Cattle use the blocks and while inferior in consumption rates.
They guarantee something is there when cows might not be checked but every couple weeks.

 

[TexasBred]

All mineral supplementation needs are LOCAL... get and feed a free-choice mineral mix that's been formulated specifically for your area.

There are a tremendous number of suppliers and the formula would depend on your area and the time of year in some cases.

I have heard this many times on this site , but don't know I have ever seen where anyone has ever told how to find out which mineral is needed. may have and I missed it ????
I have looked on Wind and Rain mineral bags and there was nothing saying anything about the area to use it in. I have a label in front of me now off of Vigortone 3V5 S Cinnagar . says nothing about area or seasons , other than all weather formula. so how do you know. Also seem like it could change from one place to the other I have seen deer dig big holes around where something was leaked at oil sites always thought that was some kind of a mineral they were after ??? if so that place may have something that the one across the road would not. so how do you find out or is it really that important to know or just feed a good mixture and not worry about it ???

Bryant lots of folks will "tell you" that the mineral is made just for your area. Truth is that company (especially if it's a nationwide company) sells the exact same mineral all over the country. Very few companies actually make custom mineral "for the area" because "the area" can have so much variation almost from one side of the road to the other. You normally just have to buy what is available and hope they get what they need.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Some areas are extremely deficit in Selenium or Copper or possibly other things. It is best to contact your local Beef Extension Specialist. All the Universities are familiar what is needed for your area. Yes, there are many minerals available to EVERYONE and any of them are better than blocks.
I guess if you don't check your cattle for a few weeks, salt blocks are better than nothing - but that's all - they are better than nothing.

 

[callmefence]

I've watched ranchers my entire life feed nothing but mineral and sulfur blocks. I'm referring to people who the entire family lives off the cows. And be quite successful. Again I'm not bashing loose mineral at all. I do think some people spend way to much on it. Some people just kinda like to buy stuff. You'll see em at tsc. Just looking for a way to spend. So to each his own. and i'm sure in instances where cattle are kept practically like chickens it mineral intake becomes more of a issue ..

 

[Rafter S]

I've watched ranchers my entire life feed nothing but mineral and sulfur blocks. I'm referring to people who the entire family lives off the cows. And be quite successful.

I've known people like that too, but that doesn't mean they didn't have room for improvement.

 

[callmefence]

I've watched ranchers my entire life feed nothing but mineral and sulfur blocks. I'm referring to people who the entire family lives off the cows. And be quite successful.

I've known people like that too, but that doesn't mean they didn't have room for improvement.

Agreed
And I said loose is superior. But blocks have their place.

 

[M-5]

I've watched ranchers my entire life feed nothing but mineral and sulfur blocks. I'm referring to people who the entire family lives off the cows. And be quite successful.

I've known people like that too, but that doesn't mean they didn't have room for improvement.

Agreed
And I said loose is superior. But blocks have their place.

they make good door stops at the feed store

 

[callmefence]

I've known people like that too, but that doesn't mean they didn't have room for improvement.

Agreed
And I said loose is superior. But blocks have their place.

they make good door stops at the feed store

Don't y'all use em somehow to catch mullet?

 

[M-5]

Agreed
And I said loose is superior. But blocks have their place.

they make good door stops at the feed store

Don't y'all use em somehow to catch mullet?

I will bury a few for deer licks , But mullet is baited using Ole roy dogfood in a croaker sack

 

[callmefence]

they make good door stops at the feed store

Don't y'all use em somehow to catch mullet?

I will bury a few for deer licks , But mullet is baited using Ole roy dogfood in a croaker sack

I see . got some in the barn I think I'll go head and let the cows lick em. Hope they survive.

 

[M-5]

Don't y'all use em somehow to catch mullet?

I will bury a few for deer licks , But mullet is baited using Ole roy dogfood in a croaker sack

I see . got some in the barn I think I'll go head and let the cows lick em. Hope they survive.

They will survive but their tongues will be sore

 

[callmefence]

I will bury a few for deer licks , But mullet is baited using Ole roy dogfood in a croaker sack

I see . got some in the barn I think I'll go head and let the cows lick em. Hope they survive.

They will survive but their tongues will be sore

Been there...barely survived