Soapweed
Well-known member
On the subject of mineral feeders, those old plastic/rubber half-barrels work as well as anything. Some of the molasses companies used to merchandise their product in these durable re-usable containers, and I'd buy their product just to get the nice future salt-bunks. They have lasted for many years. Sadly, most companies now use rinky-dink plastic "disposable" containers that aren't reusable. Even if they could be used again, they don't work because they are tapered. The taper is fine for hard molasses, but with loose salt and mineral, if the container gets tipped it stays tipped and the valuable feed goes out on the ground.
Some molasses products come in steel barrels that are reusable. These require a deposit, which is given back after the barrels are returned. Being steel, they don't work good as salt bunks because salt rusts them out so fast.
There is one company that makes good feed, and it comes in a nice reusable rubber container. This is MLS (Midcontinent Livestock Supplies) distributed by Pharmco. I get my tub-type feed from GE Associates in Martin. Their product is as good or better than any other, and is preferred by me because of the container. There is a deposit required, but it is still a bargain price for a good substantial future salt bunk. They are made from rubber, but are stackable and reusable. I can put ten sacks of salt, ten sacks of mineral, and a stack of these nice tubs on my Ranger, and go tootin' out through the hills to take care of the cattle. Two sacks of salt and two sacks of mineral fit into each tub. Some of these tubs have a small hole in the bottom, but a little piece of duct tape neatly solves the problem.
Years ago, my cousin drew a cartoon of a pickup rambling through the hills with tire tracks making circles in the pasture. The caption read, "For a young rancher, happiness is finding the salt box full of water after a good summer rain. For an old rancher, happiness is finding the salt bunk."
On that note, after a lifetime of salt box observation, I have determined that the best location for salt and mineral is on a sandy spot near a water source. The cattle always come in to water, and there they will find their other nutritional requirements. Some people place their salt and mineral in off-the-beaten path locations where the livestock seldom find it. It becomes like an Easter egg hunt for both cattle and rancher to re-find it. When cattle do go to it, a sandy spot occurs. There is no use starting a blow-out on perfectly good sod. The "educated" theory is that cattle will then go to areas of the pasture where there is more grass. Trust me, if there is unused grass in a pasture, the cattle will find it all on their own. Put the salt where the grass is already beaten out, and don't start another spot.
Some molasses products come in steel barrels that are reusable. These require a deposit, which is given back after the barrels are returned. Being steel, they don't work good as salt bunks because salt rusts them out so fast.
There is one company that makes good feed, and it comes in a nice reusable rubber container. This is MLS (Midcontinent Livestock Supplies) distributed by Pharmco. I get my tub-type feed from GE Associates in Martin. Their product is as good or better than any other, and is preferred by me because of the container. There is a deposit required, but it is still a bargain price for a good substantial future salt bunk. They are made from rubber, but are stackable and reusable. I can put ten sacks of salt, ten sacks of mineral, and a stack of these nice tubs on my Ranger, and go tootin' out through the hills to take care of the cattle. Two sacks of salt and two sacks of mineral fit into each tub. Some of these tubs have a small hole in the bottom, but a little piece of duct tape neatly solves the problem.
Years ago, my cousin drew a cartoon of a pickup rambling through the hills with tire tracks making circles in the pasture. The caption read, "For a young rancher, happiness is finding the salt box full of water after a good summer rain. For an old rancher, happiness is finding the salt bunk."
On that note, after a lifetime of salt box observation, I have determined that the best location for salt and mineral is on a sandy spot near a water source. The cattle always come in to water, and there they will find their other nutritional requirements. Some people place their salt and mineral in off-the-beaten path locations where the livestock seldom find it. It becomes like an Easter egg hunt for both cattle and rancher to re-find it. When cattle do go to it, a sandy spot occurs. There is no use starting a blow-out on perfectly good sod. The "educated" theory is that cattle will then go to areas of the pasture where there is more grass. Trust me, if there is unused grass in a pasture, the cattle will find it all on their own. Put the salt where the grass is already beaten out, and don't start another spot.
:wink: 