> (including a belief that animals do know their dietary
> requirements but usually don't have a choice)
Hi,
This is ridiculous.
Two main minerals make up 3/4's of the minerals in a cow's
body, and 1/2 the minerals in milk. These are calcium and
phosphorus.
The ratio of these two should be within certain limits. A
excess of one, even though the other is about right is
detrimental. Particularly to the reproductive efficiency of
dairy cows.
Cows offered cafeteria minerals will consume the most
palatable minerals. Usually the one mixed with molasses
and/or salt, if such a choice is present.
If those consumed happen to bring the proportion of CA and
Phos into about the right ratio, then all is well.
But if the most palatable minerals happen to throw the
ration further off, we are in serious trouble, and so are
the cows.
It is very common, about 50%, that the wrong mineral choice
is the most palatable and the ratio of is thrown very wide.
The cows simply do not know what is in the minerals they are
eating. The idea that there is some kind of a telepathic
recognition of mineral analysis is totally ridiculous.
The idea that this telepathic ability is "fine tuned" over
time by internal "feelings" in the cow by the is even more
ridiculous.
There is such a thing as a "depraved appetite" that
sometimes occurs with cows, possibly caused by mineral
balance, or other metabolic disease, that leads to
consumption of all kinds of bizarre muck like carrion or
anti-freeze or even paper towels. This is not evidence
that a cow can balance a ration.
Healthy cows (and unhealthy) will sometimes chew bones. I
don't consider this as "depraved". It's just something
that cows do occasionally. Even perfectly normal and
healthy cows sometimes do this. However this is not
evidence that cows can balance a ration.
-
Salt is universally deficient in all practical ration and
definitely should be offered free choice to dairy cows.
If anything else is offered free choice, at the very least,
it should be mixed so that the ratio of Ca and Phos in the
mineral mix tends to correct the ration in the overall
ration.
--
Kindest regards,
=======================
F. W. Owen
Owenlea Holsteins
9430 Spencer Road
Homerville, Ohio 44235
e-mail fwo@bright.net
home page http://www.bright.net/~fwo
voice & fax 330.625.2369
=======================
