Too Mineral or not...

[TCRanch]

Well, this is timely. Saw this article in the Angus Journal this morning:

http://www.angusjournal.com/ArticlePDF/1120-AJ-Minerals.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1o3pMaBEY-Zb92lFfRFr5U7hsutLoy9j9TRLuWW6U43EqRaLPWjlxL0ek

 

[Silver]

That's a good article @TCRanch

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Good article. I saved it for my newsletter.

 

[ksmit454]

I've only ever done salt blocks, but I know that loose salt is more beneficial and they absorb more of the nutrients. How do you all administer the loose minerals? I have a feeling a rubber pan will end up dumped over real fast....

 

[jsully]

Well, this is timely. Saw this article in the Angus Journal this morning:

http://www.angusjournal.com/ArticlePDF/1120-AJ-Minerals.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1o3pMaBEY-Zb92lFfRFr5U7hsutLoy9j9TRLuWW6U43EqRaLPWjlxL0ek

Thanks for the artical. Saved it!

 

[TCRanch]

I've only ever done salt blocks, but I know that loose salt is more beneficial and they absorb more of the nutrients. How do you all administer the loose minerals? I have a feeling a rubber pan will end up dumped over real fast....

This is what I use. I occasionally have to replace the top (because there's always one that steps on it) but they're sturdy, going on 12 years. Calves learn to flip up the top at an early age. The only problem I have is the dang racoons are crafty (and evil!) enough to actually open the pin so they're able to remove the top for easier access.

B&W Big Blaze Mineral Feeder | B And W | NRS (nrsworld.com)

 

[Silver]

 

[SBMF 2015]

I've only ever done salt blocks, but I know that loose salt is more beneficial and they absorb more of the nutrients. How do you all administer the loose minerals? I have a feeling a rubber pan will end up dumped over real fast....

Bolt the rubber pan in a wagon tire. In the pasture I just put loose min in one end of the feed bunk, or use a mineral feeder with a curtin.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

@Silver - Dun's feeders!!! Would you believe he got that from ME!! I got it from Hudson Pines Farms (multi-billionaire farm). I had one hanging in every field - still are. But, I have gotten high-tech and use the feeders by Vigortone - very similar to @TCRanch 's.

 

[Silver]

@Silver - Dun's feeders!!! Would you believe he got that from ME!! I got it from Hudson Pines Farms (multi-billionaire farm). I had one hanging in every field - still are. But, I have gotten high-tech and use the feeders by Vigortone - very similar to @TCRanch 's.

That's interesting! We got these feeders decades ago from an old guy that made all sorts of things including free standing panels and horse hay feeders in his back yard.

 

[Mgutzwiler]

I've only ever done salt blocks, but I know that loose salt is more beneficial and they absorb more of the nutrients. How do you all administer the loose minerals? I have a feeling a rubber pan will end up dumped over real fast....

We always put out bags of loose minerals. They will consume what they need. And always have salt blocks out. I offer them iodized blocks and sulfur blocks. Again they'll pick what they need. There's no way that they can consume what they require grime a trace mineral salt block. Jmo

 

[Mgutzwiler]

Gre

View attachment 1437

Great idea!!!!

 

[jerry27150]

depends where you , lived in northern pa old man & me never fed anything but loose salt or trace mineral, never had any problem, moved to northern mo had to feed minerals free choice & vaccinate cows about 6-8 weeks before freshening or would have calf pneumonia bad

 

[Rafter S]

If foot rot is a problem in your area it's a good idea to feed salt with iodine in it along with the mineral.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

If foot rot is a problem in your area it's a good idea to feed salt with iodine in it along with the mineral.

When we used to have our mineral custom made, hubby would always add extra iodine to the mineral for foot rot and pink eye control.

 

[VaCowman]

Mineral Feeder

ameriag.com

These things work very well and are durable. No more dumped mineral feeders and are portable for rotational grazing operations. You can also get fly strips to go on them for use during the fly and tick seasons. Well worth the $$.

 

[Farmcritter]

I just cut the sidewall off one side of a tire. Then bolt a piece of aluminum to the bottom of the tie. Then fill the tire with mineral. I might just have hopeful thinking but I swear I see weight gains from feeding mineral? I feel like I can tell when it's empty just based on how my cattle look?.Their coats are definitely improved with steady mineral. I've always fed it though and pinkeye and calving issues have been slim to none for me.

 

[Rgv3180]

Yes, for best performance you will want to always have a mineral out.

Yes I keep good mineral out, but over the years I question 32 bucks a bag, at intake of 4 oz a day.
Every year at looking back at expenses, it's not just a small cost.
They might have us all scared into not doing it, but is it worth the risk to not?
Guess I should look at university research and see maybe.

 

[Banjo]

If you have a lot of legumes in your pasture you might could get by without mineral in the growing season since legumes are more mineral rich than grass, but not in the winter. 32 bucks a bag? here the purina wind and rain is about 20 a bag

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

@Rgv3180 - Yes - do check out University research. I think you will find exactly what the majority on here are saying. Mineral is something you cannot do without - IF - you have a management program on your farm.
Here is an article on Managing Consumption of Mineral - page 17 in my newsletter: