Trying something different.

[gcreekrch]

If there is no measurable difference in feed intake or performance or breed back it will be an expensive lesson and a good tax write off.
Oscar went along with our Aussie girl and me to supervise.



Young cows and heifers are looking good.

 

[Ned Jr.]

I have some of those orange tubs out with my yearling bulls and heifers and I'm thinking the same thing. If they do what they say I'll wish I would have started feeding sooner though.

 

[Brute 23]

Fancy.... let us know how it goes.

 

[Silver]

Riomax?

 

[anewcomer]

Gcreek, dying to hear the results from your tests! If anybody knows how to do a nutrition analysis, it's you. I think tubs are the biggest ripoff in the cattle industry, based on pounds of nutrition versus cost. There are places where, from a labor standpoint, the expense might be overridden by a savings in labor cost, but I suspect those situations are rare. Please keep us posted!

 

[gcreekrch]

Gcreek, dying to hear the results from your tests! If anybody knows how to do a nutrition analysis, it's you. I think tubs are the biggest ripoff in the cattle industry, based on pounds of nutrition versus cost. There are places where, from a labor standpoint, the expense might be overridden by a savings in labor cost, but I suspect those situations are rare. Please keep us posted!

You are preaching to the choir. A good friend is using them and has become a broker. Their operation has similar to poorer feed than ours. Pictures show their 220 cows in the best condition I've ever seen them and they are feeding 5 to 6 less lbs of hay. Time will tell.

 

[Silver]

It appears to be a leap of faith, but one that might well pay off. I don't know anyone that's used it that doesn't swear by it.

 

[Ouachita]

I'm often the slowest hunchback in the lineup (that's why she said yes), so I'm gonna need some help here. I see the orange tub and fancy cows, clean snow, freaking cat, etc.
What are y'all talking about?

 

[branxchar&charx]

I'm often the slowest hunchback in the lineup (that's why she said yes), so I'm gonna need some help here. I see the orange tub and fancy cows, clean snow, freaking cat, etc.
What are y'all talking about?

I feel ya. Im just here for the pictures.

 

[CowboyRam]

I feel ya. Im just here for the pictures.

You too, and here I thought I was the only one. Because those big words can be a problem.

 

[gcreekrch]

I'm often the slowest hunchback in the lineup (that's why she said yes), so I'm gonna need some help here. I see the orange tub and fancy cows, clean snow, freaking cat, etc.
What are y'all talking about?

RioMax brand tubs. Their claims for expected results are quite impressive. Going to give them an honest try on a couple portions of the herd.

 

[Silver]

RioMax brand tubs. Their claims for respected results are quite impressive. Going to give them an honest try on a couple portions of the herd.

How does this fit with your mineral program? Seems to me you require a custom mix in you area. Will you need to reformulate your mix, or does Riomax cover it?

 

[gcreekrch]

How does this fit with your mineral program? Seems to me you require a custom mix in you area. Will you need to reformulate your mix, or does Riomax cover it?

I am a bit of a non conformist as you may know. Going to leave mineral out and let the cows regulate them selves. Will give then a couple weeks to sort that out. Copper content in tubs is less than half of what we require.

 

[1982vett]

You are preaching to the choir. A good friend is using them and has become a broker. Their operation has similar to poorer feed than ours. Pictures show their 220 cows in the best condition I've ever seen them and they are feeding 5 to 6 less lbs of hay. Time will tell.

Your orange tub looks like my black tub, likely the similarity ends with a mold.

I've had to use tubs this year to get them to eat the less than stellar hay I have an abundance of. Without any fall rain, pasture was quickly running out and they didn't like the hay until I put the tubs out. So for me, hay consumption was increased. But with that said, wasn't much pasture left so hay consumption would likely have increased anyway so we are down to condition. I wouldn't say hey are in their best condition. I would say condition loss has slowed. We did get some good rain at the end of December and early January. Winter grasses and clover are waiting for some more rain and warmer temperatures (which we are getting). Rain not so much as warmer temperatures. Turned into my last pasture several days ago and they have pretty much ignored the hay. However, still making the round to the tubs. A good rain that greybeard says are promised next week should end the hay feeding (and tubs) for this winter....I hope.

 

[texoman]

Have you tried other tubs before? What made you try this particular brand?

I tried something similar in a blue tub last summer in droughty conditions. It had mineral and protein. My cattle performed better with loose mineral and other supplements. I don't know if they couldn't get enough from the tub or what. It could be that the tub got the be like concrete in short order with the heat. I'm looking forward to your results!

 

[gcreekrch]

We've tried several different brands over last 25 years. Rite=Lix were the best so far. Good protein tubs should only allow 1/4 lb consumption per day. We got talked into some cheap tubs a few years ago that disappeared in 3 days and expected to have them last 2 weeks.

 

[Silver]

@gcreekrch does your current mineral program have an ionophore in it?

 

[gcreekrch]

@gcreekrch does your current mineral program have an ionophore in it?

Yes, Rumensin. Should I read the fine print?

 

[Silver]

Yes, Rumensin. Should I read the fine print?

I'm just wondering how they stack. As in, if Rumensin improves feed efficiency 5%, and RioMax can increase feed efficiency 5%, will feeding both at the same time give you 10%, 5%, or something in between?

 

[gcreekrch]

I'm just wondering how they stack. As in, if Rumensin improves feed efficiency 5%, and RioMax can increase feed efficiency 5%, will feeding both at the same time give you 10%, 5%, or something in between?

You're trying to complicate things for me.