I know it goes against the man’s code to read a label or instructions before using a product, but I think it’s worthwhile to check the label before buying a salt block. I found 5 versions of Salt Blocks in our local stores selling livestock feed products. I am not going to show the manufacturer, but will show the names of the blocks and the ingredients, and maybe a few comments.
Cobalt Iodized Salt
Blue Color Salt 98%
Iodine 110 ppm*
Cobalt 100 ppm
Sulfur Salt
Yellow Color Salt 96%
Sulfur 3%
Selenium 90 Trace Min. Salt
Green Color Salt 96%
Copper 300 ppm
Selenium 90 ppm
Zinc 3500 ppm
Iron 2000 ppm
Manganese 2000 ppm
Cobalt 50 ppm
Iodine 70 ppm
Big 6 Mineral Salt
Reddish Brown Color Salt 97%
Manganese 2400 ppm
Iron 2400 ppm
Copper 300 ppm
Zinc 320 ppm
Iodine 70 ppm
Cobalt 40 ppm
White Salt Block
White Color Salt 99%
*Ppm is the abbreviation for parts per million. In percent, 1 ppm = 0.0001%
It is important to know that Salt Blocks are shipped in every direction from the mill the blocks are made. They must be safe for cattle no matter where they go. Unfortunately, this means that they don’t provide all the necessary amounts of minerals for every location. In Eastern Oregon and Washington our forages are deficient in Zinc, Copper, Cobalt, Iodine, and Selenium. In most forages there is an excess of Iron. An exception to that would be the area around Seneca in Eastern Oregon. Their forages have an adequate amount of Selenium, so it is not warranted in any of their supplements (salt, liquid, block, pellet, tub or box). Many times trace minerals don’t receive the attention they deserve because they are needed in small amounts compared to protein, TDN, and vitamins. They play critical roles in health, growth, and breeding. An example would be a group of heifers in excellent body condition had terrible success conceiving. We tested the forage and found a high level of Molybdenum. We also found a low level of copper. Molybdenum ties up copper so that is not available to the animals. We increased the copper dramatically in the mineral mix so that there was now 5 times more copper than molybdenum. The heifers have had a very high conception rate for many years on that same pasture. In my opinion, if you feed salt blocks, the block with trace minerals and selenium should be your choice. An even better choice would be a custom made granular trace mineral mix designed to compliment your forages. You will be amazed at the difference in breeding, health, and growth that something this simple can make.
MICHAEL J MEHREN PHD IS A LIVESTOCK NUTRITIONIST LETTING ER BUCK IN PENDLETON, OREGON HE CAN BE CONTACTED AT MIKEMEHREN21@GMAIL.CO
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