It is during this time that potassium is high in forages while at the same time salt is low. Yet another reason that you will need to supplement salt is that mixing salt with other mineral supplements can make them more palatable for your cows.
A word of caution with supplementing salt for your cows is that you will need to somewhat keep an eye on their consumption. While it is rare for salt toxicity to occur it is possible.
When it comes to providing salt supplements for your cows they typically come in 2 forms: loose and block. While one may not be superior to the other it depends entirely on your particular situation and needs.
One drawback to using the loose mineral is that cows tend to consume more when it is in this form. If you do go with the loose salt supplement one option that you can go with is to pour it over the ration. This can help with the consumption of the ration and control the amount of salt that they are eating.
With blocks there are a few options that you can choose from:. If you are going to be feeding salt in either loose or block form it is best to place them near a water source.
With the increase in salt taken it they will need to drink more water which will help prevent salt toxicity.
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Email Address. West Texas Livestock Growers. Search for:. Why do cows need salt? Is salt necessary for cows? What are their requirements? Why do I need to supplement salt? Wildlife animals can usually be seen in salt springs or salt deposits in nature which are also known as salt licks. They take the necessary nutrients they need from licking salts.
As all animals need salt, the existing salt licks in nature are like popular animal gathering spots. Why do animals need a salt lick?
Animals such as deer, sheep, goats, cattle, and elephants make regular visits to the salt resources in nature to get the minerals they need like calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and sodium. There substitutes to natural salt licks which we will touch upon later in the article. Some of the signs of salt deficiency in animals are;.
Apart from these signs, lactating cows may show other signs of salt deficiency. We mentioned that cows take some of the calcium they need from salts. Lactating cows may get milk fever due to calcium deficiency, and calves may experience rickets. The first signs of milk fever in lactating cows can show itself as they become unable to stand. A cow with milk fever may have a lowered body temperature. The reason for this is that a lactating cow experiencing calcium deficiency starts to use more of the calcium in her body to produce milk than she already has.
To prevent this, vets usually prescribe a calcium salt in gel form. Being a bone disease, rickets can be seen in calcium-deficient calves indicated with softened bone in the early stages of bone development. In the later stages, it can lead to problems in movement and abnormal growth.
Magnesium deficiency in cows may cause grass tetany. Also, if there are several weeks of deprivation, appetite will begin to decline and weight loss will occur, and the animal may also develop a rough coat. In a high-producing cow, the breakdown can be sudden and death can occur. Sodium deprivation can be precipitated by dietary, climatic and disease factors and occurs under the following conditions:. When one or more of these conditions exist continuously for long periods and extra salt is not provided, sodium deprivation is inevitable.
Water softening salts are not intended for human or animal feeding. For some animals, particles may be too large and cause choking issues. In addition, some water softening salts may have additives that are inappropriate for animal feeds.
Salt is one of the few minerals that animals will seek out in their natural environment. There are seven trace minerals essential in feed: iron, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt, iodine, and selenium. Since livestock have a natural appetite for salt, but not for trace minerals, this makes salt an ideal medium to deliver these vital minerals. An essential for successful beef production.
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