The correct balance of minerals, trace elements and vitamins are essential for optimum health and performance in ruminant rations. Accurate mineral nutrition can improve health, welfare and animal performance. Responsible mineral nutrition has to take account of all the circumstances on the farm and Drummonds have a wide product range to meet the requirements of ruminant farmers. All animals have a daily requirement for major minerals (calcium, phosphorus, sodium and magnesium), micro/trace elements (copper, zinc, manganese, iodine and selenium) as well as vitamins.
We promote the proven ACORN range of Molassed Minerals (25kg bags) and Molassed Mineral Blocks (20kg buckets).
Pre Calver Supreme – Designed for feeding your dry dairy and suckler cows 8 weeks pre calving. This is a proven, ‘top spec’ powder mineral containing phosphorus, protected trace elements and a high level of vitamin E. Feed it through a TMR or simply sprinkled over silage. Cost per head per day is just 7.5 cents.
Hi-Phos Balancer – Ideal for all classes of stock on a phosphorus deficient diet. E.g. where forage maize or fodder beet makes up a significant proportion of the diet.
Maize/Beet Balancer – For feeding to dairy cows and/or beef cattle where forage maize / fodder beet are being fed at high inclusions. This high specification mineral includes a generous level of phosphorus, protected trace elements and Vitamin E.
Calf to Beef – Designed for feeding calves, weanling and beef animals. This mineral has a full spec of minerals and vitamins containing all the important essential trace elements (copper, zine manganese and iodine) which play a central role in cattle growth and development. A recommended feeding rate of 20g/100kg of bodyweight. Its costs under 5 cents per 500kg animal/day to feed!
- It makes economic sense to feed minerals to finishing cattle where you need to be achieving top animal performance in order to make a good return.
Major Mineral Requirements (Grams per Kg Dry Matter Intake)
|
g/Kg DMI |
Dry Cows (Suckler & Dairy) |
Lactating Cows (Suckler & Dairy) |
Weanlings |
Finishing Cattle |
|
Calcium (Ca) |
4-6g |
6.5-7.5g |
5-6g |
5-6g |
|
Phosphorus (P) |
3.2-4g |
3.5-4.5g |
3.5-4.5g |
3.2-4g |
|
Magnesium (Mg) |
3.2-4.2g |
2.2-4.2g |
1.8-2.2g |
1.8-2.2g |
|
Sodium (Na) |
1.8-2.2g |
2.2-2.8g |
1.8-2.2g |
1.8-2.2g |
Sheep Mineral – a judiciously formulated mineral designed for feeding ewes before and after lambing. In addition a dedicated mineral for feeding to lamb lambs, to help prevent urinary calculi, is available on request.
Article written by Nigel Scally – Technical Sales Advisor - Rathcoffey/Clonee MOB: 0873110772