New to this. . .

[abacres]

We are very new to Dexters, actually we don't even OWN any yet. I have been researching dexters for years, always wanting some. An opportunity came about for us to be able to finally get some. Our plan is to pasture them, and then supplement them with the organic hay that we grow on our farm. My question is: what is the purpose of the loose minerals/blocks? Are they really necessary?And if so, what brands would you recommend? Thanks in advance!

[zephyrhillsusan]

Congratulations on your hopefully new herd! You're so smart to do the research before you get the cattle. Yes, the loose minerals are necessary. Cattle can't get enough from the red trace mineral blocks that you put out for horses. They have special needs and need minerals formulated for your area.

For instance, our horses have never showed a sign of any problem with their coats. But last spring the cattle were slow to shed their winter coats (some in particular), and the black ones had a dull, reddish cast to their coats. I discovered that our area is deficient in copper, and there is simply not enough in the horse mineral blocks. We started using a mineral formulated for our area, in general considered to be part of Appalachia, although we're in NW GA. The headquarters of the company is in Birmingham, AL, and our soils are quite similar. Within a month or two we noticed a real difference in the cows' coats. They had shed out and were shiny and black (well, not the red ones!)

The company we use is Sweetlix.  It is certainly not the only one out there making good loose minerals, but the reps were extremely helpful.  They even had one of the scientists who formulates the minerals call me, and we talked at length about our herd, our conditions, etc.  You will be able to find someone who makes a mineral mix appropriate for your area, and you can ask them about it being organic if you are trying to be certified organic.

It takes a bit of research and coordination to find the right product.  In our case I had to juggle between calling the local feed store and the supplier in AL and the company.  The supplier doesn't carry all Sweetlix products, and they won't give me a price, so I have to talk to the feed store.  We have bought minerals at Tractor Supply in the past, but won't again.  Our co-op is not the best, but that is potentially a source for you.  You might also talk to your county extension agent.  Ours is quite helpful and will come out and walk over the farm to go over things with us. 

Unfortunately, no one at the co-op or TSC nor the C.E. agent knew whether our area is deficient in selenium, and it's hard to tell exactly from the maps.  If your soil is deficient (we've had ours tested, but they don't test for selenium), you can lose calves to white muscle disease.  It is easily prevented by giving your cattle a mineral with adequate selenium.  Some people put out a selenium salt, which is another option.

We have used kelp in the past, but our cattle don't like it plain.  Even one that came from a place where they kept it out free choice would not eat it.  I usually put it on the feed of any cow I'm milking, but some people put out mineral feeders with multiple sections for minerals, plain salt, kelp and maybe baking soda.  We only have 5, so we use rubber tubs set in a tire and just use the Copperhead 6% loose minerals.  Right now I'm mixing it half and half with Copperhead 6% hi-magnesium on the vet's advice.  They won't eat it straight, so I mix it and trick them into getting some extra magnesium.  (It tastes bad, apparently.  I can't say from personal experience!)  The minerals have a rain block to keep them from hardening when wet.  If we get rain, I can break it up.  I just carry out a bucket with some extra and refill it as needed.  When we put them in separate pastures for breeding purposes, it's easy to just keep a rubber feed bowl in each pasture.

I hope this isn't too much information!  It was a bit overwhelming for me at first trying to figure out the right thing to use, but just keep asking questions!  And I wouldn't buy anything in bulk until you see if your cattle will eat it.  They will be lucky, having a new owner who does all the research before they come! Enjoy them!

[dexterfarm]

Its not an easy answer depends on you situation. If they will be rotated on pasture and have good quality multiple species hay. Unless your area is severely deficient in some minerals. Then a trace mineral block at all times should be good. That is what we do and have no issues. I have tried loose minerals in the past just because everyone says you need to. I was not happy with the result or the performance of the cows on it. So I switched back to what I had always done just the trace mineral blocks.
If the feed quality is not good or it is a mono-culture then they probably are going to need more supplement. Of course with anything you would want to watch for signs of deficiency. things like poor coat, poor weight gain, calving/breeding issues.

[abacres]

Thank you both very much. Now that its explained, its common sense!

[Deleted]

I use loose minerals, as well as a block. We used to raise crossbred cattle, and didn't use, or know to use minerals for cows. We lost two calves due to it. Our area is low in Selinium. I never want to go through that again. I prove them with minerals all the time, if they need they use them. For me it's as easy as that.

[Cascade Meadows Farm - Kirk]

There are trace minerals (including salt, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, etc.). And there are major minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Many mineral mixes don't have enough phosphorus and calcium and sometimes magnesium.

Phosphorus is critical for fertility.

I swear by "Purina Wind and Rain" mineral mix.

There are a couple of different versions of it, customized to different regions and customized to different seasons. You need MORE magnesium when cows are on lush grass and less when they are on hay and drier grass. Your local dealer may have info about versions appropriate for your local region.

Here's one all season version... The second page of this PDF has a breakdown. Notice that it's enhanced with a couple of key vitamins especially useful in seasons when the grass and sun is less than perfect.

countrystore.biz/doc/All_Season_12_complete.pdf