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Minerals... Loose vs. Block

Thanks for your input, nr. We went to the school of hardknocks too.
If you don't feed mineral you are walking a tightrope. You may get
by for awhile, but if you bring cattle in, etc. you could have a huge problem. (exactly what happened to us!!)

I'm with NR, this horse has been beat to death.

Onward and upward everyone!!!
 
Seems my opinion isn't wanted here...so be it.

But don't you wonder why you have problems when you bring in new cattle?

You see FH, I had the same problems you did when I started...I purchased registered cattle...put them in the same herd, same pasture as my father-in-law's commercial cattle. His cattle bred at close to 100%...mine 60%. His calves dominated the top end of the calves each year...I had many of the same problems you did with my calves. We dewormed twice a year, vaccinated everything, used insecticides...fed loose mineral years round, hay in the winter or when needed, supplemented with range meal or licks, and even did some pasture rotation. I finally got tired of dealing with all the problems I had and started culling everything I had to help to do their job. I changed my genetic source to someone that ran their registered operation like commercial cattle...selling everything that didn't wean a good calf every year. I credit those genetics for fixing my herd and the fact that I have run a closed herd since 2001. It has made me a believer in what Jim Lents has said...when you bring in outside genetics, you reshuffle your genetic deck.

Don't be fooled into believing that minerals will solve all your problem.

Y'all have a good day.
 
I have seen a few instances where cattle needed no supplementation of minerals because the forages contained all the cattle required.

I have an analysis somewhere around here myself that requires salt only be fed to cattle in a pasture a few miles from here during winter.

A problem might arise for someone who never had a forage analysis done though.

The forage on most of the clay/prairie type soils here require no calcium supplements.
 
RobertMac said:
Seems my opinion isn't wanted here...so be it.

But don't you wonder why you have problems when you bring in new cattle?

You see FH, I had the same problems you did when I started...I purchased registered cattle...put them in the same herd, same pasture as my father-in-law's commercial cattle. His cattle bred at close to 100%...mine 60%. His calves dominated the top end of the calves each year...I had many of the same problems you did with my calves. We dewormed twice a year, vaccinated everything, used insecticides...fed loose mineral years round, hay in the winter or when needed, supplemented with range meal or licks, and even did some pasture rotation. I finally got tired of dealing with all the problems I had and started culling everything I had to help to do their job. I changed my genetic source to someone that ran their registered operation like commercial cattle...selling everything that didn't wean a good calf every year. I credit those genetics for fixing my herd and the fact that I have run a closed herd since 2001. It has made me a believer in what Jim Lents has said...when you bring in outside genetics, you reshuffle your genetic deck.

Don't be fooled into believing that minerals will solve all your problem.

Y'all have a good day.
Click to expand...

Well, RoberMac, I value your opinion and could not agree with you more!

I too have had the same experience as yourself and firmly believe that genetics (particularly feed efficiency) is a huge part of the cattle raising solution. That's assuming the herd bull has a good BSE/FE and that nutritious grass is available. All three items are incredibly important. The best genetics on the planet are worthless if there are mineral deficiences in the grass or supplements. Likewise, having the best of all minerals available doesn't mean squat if the genetics can't convert them into health/growth. And, of course, nothing is going to breed back if the bull is worthless.

It takes guts to let go of a herd that you have put a lot into but is not producing the way you had in mind. The rewards of starting fresh with the right genetics for your environment are worth the sacrifice, IMO.
 
RobertMac, I didn't mean your opinion wasn't wanted...sorry if you
thought that. I am happy what you did worked out for you. And
I'm happy ours worked out for us...since I LIVED what happened to us,
that is what I pass along.

I always read your posts and value your opinion; as I do most of
the posters here. I can tell you are sincere and are working at
keeping your operation successful.

One thing about genetics. I have read many articles in industry magazines informing producers that
Simmental and Charolais cattle have higher mineral requirements.
Their metabolism is slower and that is the reason, as I recall.

Supplementing mineral will not solve all your problems, I never ever said that. It is just part of a whole,
another tool to use in your operation--
certainly not MAGIC by any means.
I have to say just this one thing--All mineral is not created equal.

This has been a most interesting thread. I hope I added to it;
not subtracted from it.
 

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