Faster horses wrote:Maybe I can help answer some of your questions.
There are two reasons why cattle over consume mineral. One is the forage they are on is indigestible and they are trying to satisfy their dry matter needs. The other one is they are trying to up the copper in their liver. If your cows haven't been on a quality mineral PROGRAM, then that could be why they are over-consuming. How long have your cows been on Vigortone? Just because you use another mineral, doesn't mean it was available to the cow and she is over-eating now to up her liver stores. Vigortone put a lot of research into particle size, so that it would be AVAILABLE to the cow. That's what is really important, that the cow can utilize the mineral. Vigortone is the oldest mineral company in the US. All their research goes into mineral, not feed.
Mineral in tubs does not stay disbursed, with our tubs we recommend putting mineral out free-choice as you have done. When you do that, in most cases the loose mineral consumption goes down, so maybe it only appears that your cattle are over-consuming because they are eating it at recommended amounts and you aren't used to that.
The only distillers grain in the mineral is to keep the yeast culture going. How can you say it has a large amount of distillers grain? By looking?
I am confused by your post. First you say you like Vigortone and then you complain they are over-consuming it. How much are they eating? 4 oz is the recommended amount. If there is a big calf with the cow, then maybe 6 oz is more realistic. Are you in one of the drought areas in SD? If so, that could have something to do with it. In SE Montana we have had our customers put out an old sorry bale of something so the cows can satisfy their dry matter needs. Dry matter is a requirement and has been over-looked. Lots of feed that is not digestible keeps the cow seeking dry matter that they can digest....which could be mineral. Putting that old bale of anything out there will sure help cut down consumption when the cow is seeking dry matter. They won't eat it right up, but soon it will be gone and they won't eat as much mineral.
What formula are you feeding? Are you feeding a 3V product or Western Range? How much Phos is in it? We have 148 different mineral formulations. Please let me know more. I've been a dealer for 24 years and still have my first customer. Don't kid yourself, producers don't keep using Vigortone for any other reason than it works, and makes them money. Better herd health, better conception rates and higher weaning weights. We've proven it over and over. Plus the heifer retained that the mother was on Vigortone will show better condition, great conception and great health, so the use of it goes on past the cow herself.
I'll help you as best I can, but I do need to know more. I wish you would just ask instead of insulting the product.
highgrit wrote:It's hard to beat Purina wind and rain. We keep trying different mineral sources and so far Purina has been the best all around mineral for us. I'm interested in that summer cool Vigortone mineral, can you get it in high mag and medicated for flies?
highgrit wrote:It's hard to beat Purina wind and rain. We keep trying different mineral sources and so far Purina has been the best all around mineral for us. I'm interested in that summer cool Vigortone mineral, can you get it in high mag and medicated for flies?
Faster horses wrote:highgrit wrote:It's hard to beat Purina wind and rain. We keep trying different mineral sources and so far Purina has been the best all around mineral for us. I'm interested in that summer cool Vigortone mineral, can you get it in high mag and medicated for flies?
I'm not sure, but I will find out.
Wind and Rain....again treated so moisture won't bother it. I wonder how it breaks down for the cow to fully utilize it.
I'm glad it is working for you.
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