Post by 3cows on Sept 3, 2016 12:43:50 GMT -5
In researching mineral contents today I ran on to this article which makes the case for force feeding minerals, instead of offering free choice. Since I had a cow with the slightest touch of grass tetany this spring that I cured by dosing her with the same Redmond's salt that I keep in the pasture beside a free choice mineral box, it kinda struck home with me. Thoughts? (The portion that discusses this is excerpted below the link, but the whole article was an interesting read.)
extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/nutrition/forages/pasture/articles-on-pasture-and-grazing/dietary-minerals-for-dairy-cows-on-pasture
"Methods of Feeding Minerals
Minerals are best fed mixed with other feeds (force fed), such as in the grain mixture or in a total mixed ration. Supplemental grain is usually fed to cows on pasture and provides a means to get known amounts of minerals into cows. With lush spring pastures, some cows may not consume all their allotted grain and minerals. The minerals in the grain may need to be concentrated to a higher nutrient density to avoid deficiencies.
Free-choice feeding of minerals containing macro and micro minerals can be considered in this situation, but these blends should have a salt base to ensure consumption (cows do have an appetite for salt). A mixture containing about 20% salt is common. Offering free-choice minerals may be considered when cows or heifers are on pasture and receive no supplemental feeds. They are not needed if adequate minerals are fed and consumed elsewhere.
The general practice of free choice feeding by offering several sources of minerals separately as the only source of minerals is not recommended. Research has shown that the dairy cow does not have the nutritional wisdom to enable her to choose the individual minerals that she needs. Research has clearly shown that cattle have the ability to taste and select salt, but not other minerals. Intake of minerals, except salt, seems to be more related to palatability and taste than need. A cow, contrary to popular belief, will seldom choose the minerals she needs, and will likely end up deficient or imbalanced in dietary minerals. Offering free choice minerals above that provided from grain or TMRs is usually wasteful and may lead to luxury consumption and mineral imbalances.
In the short run, an imbalance or deficiency of some minerals may not be evident in the animal. For example, if the cow has adequate reserves of Ca and P, a dietary deficiency may not be observed for a couple months. The long term effects on milk yield, animal health, and reproduction are of major concern and are the reason that we should try to ensure an adequate daily intake of all minerals through supplementation."
extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/nutrition/forages/pasture/articles-on-pasture-and-grazing/dietary-minerals-for-dairy-cows-on-pasture
"Methods of Feeding Minerals
Minerals are best fed mixed with other feeds (force fed), such as in the grain mixture or in a total mixed ration. Supplemental grain is usually fed to cows on pasture and provides a means to get known amounts of minerals into cows. With lush spring pastures, some cows may not consume all their allotted grain and minerals. The minerals in the grain may need to be concentrated to a higher nutrient density to avoid deficiencies.
Free-choice feeding of minerals containing macro and micro minerals can be considered in this situation, but these blends should have a salt base to ensure consumption (cows do have an appetite for salt). A mixture containing about 20% salt is common. Offering free-choice minerals may be considered when cows or heifers are on pasture and receive no supplemental feeds. They are not needed if adequate minerals are fed and consumed elsewhere.
The general practice of free choice feeding by offering several sources of minerals separately as the only source of minerals is not recommended. Research has shown that the dairy cow does not have the nutritional wisdom to enable her to choose the individual minerals that she needs. Research has clearly shown that cattle have the ability to taste and select salt, but not other minerals. Intake of minerals, except salt, seems to be more related to palatability and taste than need. A cow, contrary to popular belief, will seldom choose the minerals she needs, and will likely end up deficient or imbalanced in dietary minerals. Offering free choice minerals above that provided from grain or TMRs is usually wasteful and may lead to luxury consumption and mineral imbalances.
In the short run, an imbalance or deficiency of some minerals may not be evident in the animal. For example, if the cow has adequate reserves of Ca and P, a dietary deficiency may not be observed for a couple months. The long term effects on milk yield, animal health, and reproduction are of major concern and are the reason that we should try to ensure an adequate daily intake of all minerals through supplementation."