A protein tub is a convenient way to provide extra nutrition when needed. One of its key benefits is that once you place it in the pasture, you can rest assured that you don’t need to check it daily. This benefit is beneficial for those who may have a job back in town, providing a sense of relief from daily checking responsibilities.
A benefit for both the full-time and “part-time” rancher is that a protein tub can improve the overall grazing in a pasture. You can move them into more underutilized areas to encourage cattle to move to those areas.
When making any type of investment, it is prudent to do your homework before making any decision. So, before you run off to the local feed store, I have five things you can look at before you buy your first protein tub.
Using a mineral supplement is one of cattle management’s most important yet overlooked parts. Sure, we all are concerned with the amount of protein or energy we are getting, but what about meeting their mineral needs?
Using a hay bale to supplement your cattle is a tried-and-true method that many producers use. It is reasonably priced compared to other feedstuffs, though the quality can vary depending on many factors.
Sulfur salt blocks have generated a love/hate relationship among many cattlemen. Some love them and swear by them, while others feel they are a waste of money. It can be a bit of a headache to understand either side truly.
Mineral supplementation is an essential component of any successful cattle operation. Minerals are the building blocks for growth, reproduction, and basic maintenance. It is important that your cattle get all of the minerals that their bodies need.
Providing a feed supplement to cattle that are grazing in certain areas is expected, and for good reason. Cattle often cannot get enough from just rangelands to meet their nutritional requirements. Producers have many choices when it comes to feeding supplements. However, it is best to be careful when deciding what supplements to use.
Salt, along with other minerals, is necessary to sustain life in cattle. Much like with humans, they are essential building blocks for living beings to perform at their best. It is needed for the body to perform even the most basic of functions.
Roughages are an essential but often overlooked part of a cow’s diet. Most of the time, people only focus on things like crude protein, energy, and possibly even mineral content. While those are vital for the overall production of cattle, roughages play just as important a role. Consuming a certain amount of roughage is essential to keep the rumen functioning, thus allowing the digestion of things like protein, energy, and minerals.
Creep feeding can be an excellent tool for improving the overall weaning weight of your calves. Thus, it can be a good management and economical option for improving your bottom line.
Salt blocks are available to producers in a variety of different colors. This variety is something any trip to your local feed store can tell you. Each color represents different situations in which they are needed.
