Salt block problem?

[Rough'n'Ready Plantation]

I heard this from another farmer down the road and I hadn't heard of this before so maybe someone here knows if this is true or not. He said if you feed your cows salt blocks instead of loose salt that the cows licking the salt blocks will make them loose all the little hairs on their tongue and that as a result they won't be able to graze grass as well. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?

Thanks,
Lee

 

[feelnrite]

I didnt know cows had little hairs on their tongues. They have a rough tongue with protrusions but not hairs. I dont understand all of the salt feeding either. Why not feed mineral that has salt in it and they will get what they need.

 

[Rough'n'Ready Plantation]

Oops, sorry, maybe I meant bumps not hairs.

 

[randiliana]

Oops, sorry, maybe I meant bumps not hairs.

I don't think so. All we have ever fed is salt blocks, doesn't seem to cause a problem our cows are in pretty good condition!!

 

[kyblockhead]

New one on me.

 

[IluvABbeef]

Nope, not here. The cattle here lick on their salt blocks and they can graze and eat hay just as well as when they're not fed on the salt blocks.

Sounds like a tall old wives tale to me.

 

[Crowderfarms]

I know plenty of Cattlemen out there that no longer feed blocks. It's a lot more beneficial for a Cow to ingest Minerals from eating them than by having to lick them. Just my 2 cents worth.