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Commercial Mixtures.
Salt-mineral mixtures comparable to those listed above may be purchased
commercially. Beware of mineral blocks that are extremely hard and dense because it is very difficult or impossible
for cattle to obtain their daily mineral requirements from such blocks.
Feeding Salt and Mineral Separately.
To ensure adequate intake of salt and all other mineral elements, it is often
considered preferable to feed Mixture 1, 2 or 3 in one feeder and straight trace mineralized salt in another
feeder.
How to Feed Mineral Mixes.
All salt or mineral mixes should be fed under cover to keep out rain and/or snow.
When fed outside, weather-vane type feeders that rotate with the wind are the most desirable. They may be
constructed at home or purchased commercially. Mineral feeders should be located in sites where cattle have daily
contact.
How to Budget Mineral Consumption.
When fed free-choice, cattle will consume approximately 0.1 to 0.2 lb. of
salt-mineral mix per head per day. A figure of 0.15 lb. per day or 55 lb. per cow per year would be a rough
average.
Adding Vitamin A to Mineral Mixes.
Adding a Vitamin A premix to the mineral mix is a convenient method of providing
this vitamin. However, vitamin A loses its potency with time. so these mixes should not be stored for extended
periods of time. Enough vitamin A should be added to the mineral mix so that each animal receives its requirement
(10.000 to 50.000 IU) in 0.1 to 0.2 lb. of total mix.
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