Cattle on a high cereal diet will need supplementing with trace minerals.
ADVERTISEMENT
Keep an eye out for cattle licking concrete walls, floors, slats and urine, as these are signs that animals are lacking trace elements in their diet.
Cattle to watch include weanlings and stores getting rolled barley on top of silage without any form of mineral supplementation.
Even if weanlings are getting 1kg/day of a compound ration, the mineral levels included in the mix may be insufficient to meet the nutritional requirement of these animals.
ADVERTISEMENT
Highly digestible forage can also be a contributing factor, as feeds are passing through the rumen too quickly before minerals can be absorbed.
Added benefit
Salt blocks and supplementary minerals can help to curtail this problem, as can introducing more fibre to improve rumen function.
An added benefit with salt licks is that it can improve overall feed intakes, benefiting growing cattle or cows in milk.
Cattle usually self-regulate their intake when salt blocks are offered, reducing the risk of animals of over-dosing. If the problem persists, consult with your vet.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Keep an eye out for cattle licking concrete walls, floors, slats and urine, as these are signs that animals are lacking trace elements in their diet.
Cattle to watch include weanlings and stores getting rolled barley on top of silage without any form of mineral supplementation.
Even if weanlings are getting 1kg/day of a compound ration, the mineral levels included in the mix may be insufficient to meet the nutritional requirement of these animals.
Highly digestible forage can also be a contributing factor, as feeds are passing through the rumen too quickly before minerals can be absorbed.
Added benefit
Salt blocks and supplementary minerals can help to curtail this problem, as can introducing more fibre to improve rumen function.
An added benefit with salt licks is that it can improve overall feed intakes, benefiting growing cattle or cows in milk.
Cattle usually self-regulate their intake when salt blocks are offered, reducing the risk of animals of over-dosing. If the problem persists, consult with your vet.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS