It’s that time of year, time to put the farm to bed. Many tasks need to be done before the snow flies! One of those tasks is to mulch the strawberries, tear up the garden and put a leaf cover over my fish pond. You see, I’ve neglected to do some of those in the past, and it ends up more work the next year, or in the case of the strawberries, I lost some plants the next year.
Along with these chores, there’s all the things to do with the livestock. Whether it’s moving them closer to home or onto stock fields, make sure you provide salt and mineral.
Daily salt requirement for mature cattle is less than 1 oz/head/day; however, voluntary intake often exceeds minimum needs. Because there are practical limits to the amount of salt cattle eat, salt can be used to restrict the consumption of highly palatable feeds such as grains and supplements. In such instances, daily voluntary intake of salt will approximate 0.1 pound salt/100 pounds body weight for most classes of cattle.
Using salt to supplement your livestock and animals’ diets is essential to their health, as well as their production. Salt is made up of two vital nutrients: sodium and chloride. Sodium is necessary for the animals’ nervous system, muscles, blood, and other required functions. Chloride also benefits the blood and aids in digestion. This basic mineral has a huge impact on the livestock’s production. Studies have shown that a producer will see a significant loss in production long before any symptoms of deficiencies are observed in the animal.
Many animals will regulate their own salt intake, as long as a source is available. However, there are certain times when more salt is required. For example, the heat will cause your animals to lose more salt through sweat and urine. The same loss of salt occurs during times of extreme humidity. Especially when the animal is consuming more water, salt intake may need to be doubled.
Salt toxicity is seldom seen in cattle because of their high tolerance for salt. The one-time lethal dose for mature cattle is 4 to 5 pounds salt. Salt is rapidly absorbed from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream. It is then excreted by the kidneys through urine. However, the animal is able to eliminate excess salt only when adequate clean water is available.
Salt toxicities are most likely to occur: 1 ) where cattle have been deprived of salt for extended periods of time and suddenly have readily available salt; 2) if cattle are forced to eat excessive salt with an inadequate water supply; or 3) when cattle are forced to drink water containing a high concentration of salt.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Three former Atchison Co employees arrested on felonies
One hospitalized, one jailed, after Atchison attack
Fentanyl find nets four in two Atchison cases
Services set for Effingham woman killed in crash
Barricaded fugitive arrested in Jackson County
Two file to challenge local legislator
Fatal Atchison apt fire investigation continues
Support sought for fire ravaged family
USD 415 board select new member
Four injured in Richardson Co rollover crash
U.S. 36 work in Doniphan Co to impact motorists
Results from SE Nebraska contested Primary Elections
Date set for signals switch at Hiawatha intersection
Armed felon found, arrested, in Jackson Co
Flags to fly half staff Wednesday across KS
State Board approves land transfer agreements
Memorial Day enforcement hits KS roads
LATEST STORIES
Four injured in Richardson Co rollover crash
Tuition increase by KU, others in state
KS grad requirements updated after two decades.
Fentanyl find nets four in two Atchison cases
Armed felon found, arrested, in Jackson Co
Support sought for fire ravaged family
Potts first to file for Sheriff's seat in Atchison Co
Senator Slama won't endorse candidate in legislative race
Local author brings "Broken and Chained" to Falls City Saturday