Protein/molasses tubs?

I used to feed mix 30% in a lick tank with the wheel untill i started getting the 200lb tubs at our local rural king The ragland brand tubs are $41 dollars and the refills are $36 60 head of 4-500 lb holstiens will eat 2 a month on top of silage , hay and ddg/soy hull pellets , 20 cows will go through 1 a month . I buy 4 pallets of the tubs when they do their ladies and seniors 10% off they take a fork lift and load them on the truck for my lady and i unload them with a bobcat at home to put them in pasture we slide 2 in the bucket take them out and set them

myersfarm-- I put out a half tub for each cow for the winter, about 5 months. I use the 250 pound 22 percent protein. I have looked into the lick tank like you talk about but the tubs just work better for me, not to mention the wife make flower pots out of the empty's.

Kycrawler your the only other one on this board that I know of that feeds on top of silage , hay and ddg/soy hull pellets ....would like to talk to you more one another thread about your mix...I use a NDE grinder

Picked up the tub yesterday. When I showed up there was only one type in stock. Blue Seal 20% protein 250 lb. Placed it in the field about noon and seems to be a big hit. Will try to update on the results if any one it has been out there for a couple of weeks.

Also placed placed out a high magnesium loose cattle mineral free choice. Before yesterday they were sharing my Purina goat mineral with the goats. Still learning what role the high mag plays with cattle.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Davstep how much was it ?

$130 for the tub and $25 for the 50lb mineral bag.

We use the liquid Molasses stuff.

We had issues with bad hay last year, the vet came out and told us to get one of those at the Co-op. We paid $300.00 for the tub alone--didn't know it didn't come full Cost us another 500.00 to get it filled. They didn't finish it all before winter came again--and now we have less cattle--so didn't fill all the way it this time around. Don't remember what the price is.

Wow, prices sure do vary, don't they? From $36 for a Ragland refill to $$$.$$! I just paid $60 for a Southern States 24% 200# tub, and I thought it was high. I've been watching for them on sale and usually pay $47 for them. I got caught short and had no choice.

I never considered going without one for a while. I bale native grass and it probably isn't very high in nutrition, so I feel that I need to give the cattle a little help.

It must be working. An 18 month old steer (#142) that entered cold weather without a drop of fat on him anywhere is showing some fat now. A younger steer has really packed on the weight during this winter.

The reason for varied pricing is the variety of blocks which affects intake.

The low moisture blocks like crystalyx have the lowest intake per day. other forms have higher intake sotheir price is lower.

You need to look atprice divided by intake to get a true cost.

I just paid $55 for the only one my feed store had in stock, a 16% 200Lbs. I've been worrying about weight in one of my cows, all the calves prefer her and I like the idea of having free choice extra out there if she needs it so I bought a tub. I'll see how it works for her and the other cow in that pasture with her.

The role that the high mag mineral provides is that it prevents the grass staggers also known as spring bloat. If you turn out hay fed cattle onto fresh lush spring pasture or pasture with a high clover content you run the rsk of having them bloat. I experienced this last season when i noticed a holstein steer one morning leaning on its side onto the hotwire. I walked out into the pasture and as i approached the steer he stood up and proceeded to walk backwards in a zigzag pattern back to the barn. I was able to save him by rubbing his side and helping him pass the gas that had built up inside of him. I had been mixing the mineral into their feed but after this episode i always make sure they have free-choice high-mag mineral available March-June.

around here the 250 pound tubs sell for 100 to 150 each, of course I wait till they go on sale and stock up--this year I paid 80 each. the lick tanks work fine too but in our area for some reason the tubs work out cheaper and are more convenient, I can move them from pen to pen as needed.

My old girls have bad teeth, now I'm afraid they're going to lick their tongues down to stumps on those danged tubs. They sure like 'em!

__________________
"I love all of this mud," said no one, ever.

rancher they make skids that the lick tanks set on and you can pull around with a tractor

Which reminds me. Do you use the tubs with the added fly chemical in them??
tubs around here are 55$
Steve

Take a look at the resources at the Crystalyx website. The Crystalyx products are Low-Moisture Tubs which are designed for low intake, 1/4 to 1/2 lb/hear/day.

Crystalyx brand Low-Moisture Tubs

Here's an article about grass tetany and the role of high magnesium.

http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/beef/arti...etanyBloat.pdf

You'll find more information if you google "grass tetany in cattle." Some people just use the high mag minerals in the spring; others use it year-round. I think there can be some negatives using it year-round. You can also check with your extension agent or vet about what's recommended where you are.