When choosing a liquid protein supplement for cattle, make sure to consider several factors. Low moisture tubs and blended supplements are two options. Low moisture tubs are usually less expensive than blended supplements. Oilseed meal and grain are other alternatives. Read on to learn more about the advantages of each. Below are some common questions farmers often ask. This information may be useful for you. Here are some of the most common questions and answers related to liquid protein supplements for cattle.
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Low moisture tubs
Low moisture tubs are one way to keep the feed dry and the animals’ consumption consistent. However, they are not without risk. Cattle love to play with them and knock them into surface water. This may cause contamination if the tubs are left unattended. To avoid this, make sure to move the tubs to areas with more ungrazed pasture. If you find cattle congregating around the tub, move the blocks to these areas.
The best time to put out a tub is early in the spring or summer, when grasses are mature. This is an ideal time to add a tub of protein, since it will help the cattle to avoid over-consuming it. Located close to the water source and a loafing area, the tubs will get used to the new environment and eventually move to other pasture areas. Eventually, the cattle will move to the tubs on their own.
Blended liquid supplements
A blend of protein and energy is used in liquid feed supplements for cattle. These supplements are particularly useful for maintaining liveweight loss in dry breeding cattle, or achieving less than 0.4 kg LWG. The feed must contain at least 1200 kg DM pasture stubble and have a DOMD of 50-55% to meet the nutrient requirements. The blend of protein and energy must have a low cost per kilogram of the animal’s weight.
For example, a 20-pound block of Trophy Buck is enough to give a one-hundred-pound cattle two ounces of the blend daily. This is equivalent to approximately 24% of the animal’s body weight. A bottle of Trophy Buck lasts for approximately two to three months. The dietary supplement is also easy to use and is highly palatable. If you’re not familiar with the ingredients of this blend, contact the manufacturer of the particular product for more information.
Oilseed meal
Cows that graze on dry grass require supplemental feed, but they don’t necessarily need to be fed daily. One study found that giving a liquid protein supplement at intervals of two to four days reduced the loss of weight in cows. The results were similar for calf weaning weights. A new study will evaluate the effects of delivering liquid supplements at the same intervals for cows fed twice a day.
Cows consuming dormant forage may produce manure that accumulates with rings and is dry. This indicates that the cattle are deficient in protein and are not utilizing their feed as effectively as they should be. This condition can lead to poor body condition. Cattle that are deficient in protein can benefit from using oilseed meal. It can also supplement energy-deficient cattle’s diet. But if you’re not sure which type of oilseed meal to give your cattle, here’s some information you should know.
Grain
Liquid protein supplements for cattle are used by both pasture-fed and feedlot cattle. The products are typically available as either a blended or suspension. Both are formulated for an intake rate of one to two kg per head per day for adult cattle. A liquid protein supplement acts as a carrier for both mineral and protein supplements. Unlike dry products, the quantity of supplement is easily manipulated to ensure the desired level of intake.
Cattle on a salt-mixture diet tend to consume five to seven times more water than normal. Salty water will cause cattle to reject the feed. Water’s TDS (total dissolved solids) can be measured by determining whether it is above or below 5,000 parts per million. To determine the exact level of TDS in your water, obtain a soil, forage, and energy analysis.
