mixing mineral/salt with feed?

desertshi · #1 01/25/10, 11:31 AM

So we are about to go and grind our own feed. I have a question though about minerals. THe bag of loose minerals that I bought says that you should mix it with their feed? Does this sound right. I have just had it in a container free-choice until now. Should I continue to do it this way? Do the cows instinctivly know how much they need like horses?

topside1 · #2 01/25/10, 12:28 PM

I'd continue doing what your doing. Mixing loose minerals with your feed may invite loads of moisture to be absorbed into the grain mixture. Serve free choice or top dressed..

commonsense · #3 01/26/10, 11:42 AM

I don't mix the minerals with the feed--I have them to one side in the feed box where the cows get their grain treat at milking time. There are also chunks of salt off to the side. The cows just take what they want, and I replenish as needed.

Callieslamb · #4 01/26/10, 03:22 PM

My grain comes with minerals mixed in it. What is the difference? Do they need more minerals that available in the grain?

Bret · #5 01/26/10, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

My grain comes with minerals mixed in it. What is the difference? Do they need more minerals that available in the grain?

Mine too. They get what they need this way and the salt addition might help to limit how much feed they eat. I control that too. Come to think of it, I must be a control nut. I still offer a mineral salt mix for the feeder calves that they have to clean it up every few days. I don't put it out if it is going to rain.

Callieslamb · #6 01/26/10, 10:41 PM

minerals help limit how much they eat?

Allen W · #7 01/27/10, 08:03 AM

Minerals won't limit how much they eat, salt won't either unless added to high level like 20% or more.

ksfarmer · #8 01/27/10, 08:23 AM

We used salt to limit the intake of feed for calves on a creep feeder. I don't remember the % but it was considerable less than 20%.

haypoint · #9 01/27/10, 08:39 AM

I keep a mineral block for free choice, but I want to be sure they are getting the minerals they need so I have it added to my feed mix. I add molasses to the mix to keep the salt and dust from settling and insure it all gets cleaned up.

Some important minerals are important, but toxic at higher levels. Mixed into the feeds insures they get it at the proper levels.

Selenium is critical and not available in all mineral blocks and mixes. Check for it.

BlackWillowFarm · #10 01/29/10, 08:51 PM

I get my dairy feed custom mixed. It includes vitamins A, E and D but no added minerals. I feed loose minerals and also top dress the grain.

sammyd · #11 01/30/10, 03:42 AM

We add a small amount of A and D and 2-1 mineral to our feed but also have mineral and salt free choice.

When we fed high moisture corn and soybean meal we would top dress with a mineral but a lot of times the cows would not eat it. Had some purple stuff they hated and some red stuff that they pushed away too. Can't remember the brand names.

lonelyfarmgirl · #12 01/30/10, 11:20 AM

we use redmond loose mineral salt for ours. we cut the end off a 55 gallon plastic drum and slip it halfway under the electric wire so they dont step in it. when it rains, it fills with water, then they drink the mineral water. they take as much or as little as they need. I think its better this way, because an animal generally knows.