Vitamin and Mineral needs for cattle

[InHisName]

Just purchasing a cow, it will be with the sheep and goats. What are the minerals it will need? I already have to give the goats their mineral seperate (copper)- but give the sheep "sheep salt" - can the cow have that loose salt? Is there an all purpose mineral that covers all the livestock?

[francismilker]

Because of my sheep's sensitivity to copper I use sheep minerals on all my stock. In order for the cattle to get the oxytetracyclene they need to help prevent anaplazmosis from flies, I hang a plastic barrel mineral feeder up in a tree with anaplaz minerals in it specifically for the cattle. The sheep and goats have a hard time getting at it because it's hanging just high enough they have to stand on back feet to reach it but too high for them to get their front feet inside it for stabilizing themselves good enough to eat.

So far, I've never seen them have any success eating the cattle mineral but anything is possible with goats and sheep. They never cease to amaze me!

[InHisName]

That is a good idea! When I was purchasing my cow, I noticed a bag of powder hanging from posts that the cow's would put on their face by rubbing- is that what you are talking about? What is that called?

[linn]

I would make sure the mineral mix had selenium in it. Some areas of the country are deficient in selenium. Loose mineral is better than a block because the cows eat more of it.