minerals/blocks

[wvdexters]

We always put high mag blocks out in the fields with the cattle this time of year. Now that we are feeding loose mineral I'm wondering how you all do it. Offer both free choice -or- go with one over the other until the tetany concern passes?

[lakeportfarms]

Yes, continue the loose mineral but supplement with the block. They seem to like to lick the block since it's something new, and that is usually enough for them.

We bring out loose mineral every day when we are rotating in a small bucket and pour it in a tray. I'm trying to think of a way to provide a weather protected feeder that can be moved daily along with the water. Otherwise we use the 55 gallon barrels bolted to the fence near the auto waterer when they are in the sacrifice areas (6 months a year it seems )

[midhilldexters]

I remove all loose mineral when I am using bloat blocks, I want them using the block not the loose stuff. If they don't get enough of the bloat block in them they have no protection. I would advise removing the loose stuff until you are done with the bloat block. By the way the bloat blocks are soft and need to be under cover, mine stay up in the barn, but anywhere protected will work.

Carol K

[outofthebox]

May 15, 2014 19:55:30 GMT -5 RedRidge said:

They are pretty dependable about letting me know what they need if I pay attention. Bulls are tattle tales anyway if anything at all in the herd needs to be addressed. I've learned to trust the mood of my bulls for accurate herd feedback on most things.

Its funny that you say that. I experience the same right down to the boys    'The bloke' thinks Im a little weird

[zephyrhillsusan]

I made an 80-mile round trip today to get two bloat blocks. But they were the last two left at the co-op in Cleveland, TN, and the only ones that I could find at any feed store in our area. Our co-op could have ordered them on Monday for delivery next Friday. I figured it was worth the drive not to have to wait a whole week. I got them for half price because they were a bit beat up, but still in one piece. The labels were illegible, so they printed one out on their computer, and it said to take up any other products containing salt. So I did. I left Ebony working on hers. The boys in the pasture will have to wait till tomorrow because they're with the horses, and I wasn't sure if the horses were okay with the bloat block.

I'm waiting on a call from the Sweetlix company tomorrow to tell me if it's okay for the horses to eat it. My horse vet didn't know. Does anyone know or has anyone ever let their horses eat it? If I can't get a clear reassurance from the company, I'll have to put the horses in a separate pasture to be sure.

[wvdexters]

Well we're all set here. Everyone is soooo happy. Out of that little yard and into the pasture. Ahhhhh

Thanks

[carragheendexters]

Please don't be too complacent if you have tetany and bloat blocks out. Cows can still go down with either disorder. So stll watch your cows like a hawk.

Last year in spring we had a major issue with bloat, AND we had bloat blocks down. Our neighbour at the same time lost 6 cows one night with tetany AND he had Magnesium blocks down.

The thing is that for both disorders EVERY cow has to take enough block EVERY day to have protection. Our neighbour knows it was his own fault to lose his cows, he had cows with young calves on a forage oats paddock, and some cows weren't eating enough (if any) of the blocks.

For us with the bloat, some of our cows just weren't touching the blocks. Our vet recommended we go to bloat treatment in their water. That way we know that every cow gets treatment every day. This solved our problem.

In the same vein he also recommends using Epsom Salts in their water for tetany. Every cow is guaranteed to get some Magnesium every day.  I haven't tried that yet, though we don't have a great threat from tetany as we have a lot of clover and Lucerne (alfalfa) in our paddocks. We have blocks out with the cows with calves, but the cows never touch them

Has anyone else tried using Epsom salts or thought about trying that?

[zephyrhillsusan]

Sorry, no answer on the Epsom salts.

I did talk to the Sweetlix/Copperhead mineral rep. The product in the bloat blocks is safe for horses, and they have eaten some. It will just go through them and do nothing--no harm, no good. The cattle went bonkers over it at first, not so much now. We were watching them when we put it down, and one by one they slowed down, then quit and wandered off to graze.

And yes, Louise, what you said: 

The thing is that for both disorders EVERY cow has to take enough block EVERY day to have protection.

Read more: dextercattle.proboards.com/thread/4085/minerals-blocks#ixzz32DWNvSt9

The Sweetlix rep stressed that to me.  The blocks have to go in the pasture with the cattle at all times and be somewhere they go, like near their water, so they don't have to go looking for it and will be sure to eat it.  It's not a cumulative medication; it works while it's in their rumen.

[Fran]

I put out loose minerals all the time, mine don't touch them. I bought a mineral tub from a farm supply place in Cowpens and they LOVE it. I also keep salt and mineral blocks out -- they will lick on them sometimes. The tub runs about $75 and is around 100 lbs. or so. I can't remember the name of it. But I will be going back to get more. Fingers crossed, knock on wood, etc., I have not had any issues with bloat or tetany. Have not used Magnesium blocks, but may get one for next year (just to have on hand) or could try the Epsom Salts. Mine are on pasture year round. They are fed hay and a little TSC sweet mix during the harder winter months (Jan.-Mar.) but are still out on pasture during that time. I do see them all up close every day when they come up for treats (alfalfa/oat cubes and BOSS).

[carragheendexters]

That's great Susan that you won't have to worry about your horses and can keep them with your cows. Did you buy some spare blocks while you were there? That's a bit of a drive to get them, you wouldn't want to do it too often just to buy some blocks. (says I who will drives further than that just to go shopping, but then that's what it is like living in a small town in Australia hahaha)
We keep our blocks either near their water troughs or by the gates, if not grazing they seem to love to hang around the gate, waiting for us to come down to them. Farmers over here usually keep the blocks around the dams or troughs.

Fran, I think it depends on how much molasses or lupins they put in the blocks as to whether they will eat them. I know I have loose minerals out (with nothing interesting in them such as molasses) and they never touch those. The mineral block with a little molasses they will give the odd lick, the bloat blocks have a lot of molasses and they will use it a bit more. The magnesium block has lupins and a little molasses and they rarely bother with it.

Bloat and tetany is very dependent on what your soil is like and what pasture you grow.

[zephyrhillsusan]

Louise, I couldn't buy any extra blocks because those two were the last they had. I think they'll get me through bloat season this year, and next year I'll plan ahead. I just found a place that can order the minerals I want, plus the bloat blocks, from a supplier in Alabama. The place that's ordering the minerals is about 30 minutes away. There's one closer, and the guy is checking to see if he can order them for me.

Fran, it will be interesting to see if my animals eat these minerals. I sure hope so, because I can tell they need the copper. The sales guy and the nutritionist who compounds them both swear they'll devour it at first until they get caught up, then slack off to a regular amount. We'll see . . . I can tell they're eating the bloat block, so that makes me happy. Glad they appreciate the long trip I made!

[Fran]

Hey Susan, what's the name of the minerals that you are getting? Is it a block or loose? Mine absolutely will not touch the loose.

[zephyrhillsusan]

It's called Copperhead 6% with Raybon (for fly control), Fran. They have the same product without the Raybon.  It's specially formulated for palatability. I hope to be able to pick it up Friday. Meanwhile the animals are still eating the bloat block which also contains some minerals. Both are made by .Sweetlix.  You can look for distributors on their website.  If the ones near you only do wholesale, the company reps are very helpful in helping you find dealers near you.  They are also extremely helpful and knowledgeable in discussing your individual situation and needs.  The one thing the nutritionist told me that I appreciated is that they want it to be easy to get minerals to a small herd without having to put down a multitude of different products.

[Fran]

Awesome! I will be checking it out and let you know.

From looking online, it looks like this is a loose mineral? I wonder if mine will even touch it?? Hmmmmm

[pauld]

I recently purchased a bull and heifer both less than 18 months old. The two of them will not touch the mineral blocks I have put out for them. It is now January in Northern Illinois and wanted to get some leads on good mineral blocks. The cattle are eating hay and a little pasture but mostly hay. Occasionally we provide them with supplemental grain. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.