FW is right on.
Magnesium is needed by most cows on pasture in most areas before
calving and and for months after and cows will not eat mg oxide
because it so bitter. With salt, which animals need and like, they
will eat more, or better still it can be spread on pasture, but best
of all be fed through the drinking water when each animal gets the
right amount.
Iodine is also essential in some areas - in minute quantities - so
how can that be fed ad-lib.
Zinc sulphate has to be fed at 25 to 30 grams per cow in much of New
Zealand and parts of France and North America (and possibly other
countries) in summer and autumn to prevent facial eczema.
If an animal craves copper and sulphate of copper is in a dry lick
form it can kill itself if eating too much.
Vaughan Jones
>Hi,
>
>Cafeteria style free choice minerals will not work. It is
>just a sales technique that can be easily taught and
>applied by salesmen with pretty good success (as a sales
>technique).
>
>Cows do not have the mathematical abilities to balance their
>own rations, nor can they do it magically, or any other
>way.
>
>This claim by salesmen was one of the first research
>subjects when the land grant universities were established.
>Since then it has been revisited countless times. It's
>nonsense.
>
>--
>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
>=======================
>
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