Welcome! My name is Dawn and this is my agricultural blog. I'm new to farming so I'm still learning all I can about everything I need to know. When I got to the farmhouse, I got in touch with the folks who live in the neighbouring farms so I could ask them for advice. Thankfully, my neighbours were very kind. They took the time to explain the different types of equipment I needed to run a successful farming operation. I decided to write this blog so I could offer my best advice to others who are interested in the farming industry.
Supplements to Consider for Your Cattle's Stock Feed
Rearing cattle can be profitable if they are getting the right nutrients. However, in the recent past, the drought that is spreading across Australia has made it difficult for farm animals to fend for themselves. And whether you are deliberating on buying stock feed for the first time or if you have been feeding your cattle with these feed from the beginning, there are vital supplements that you should include in their diet. When you do choose to incorporate more supplements, you will quickly find that there is a vast section of mineral, proteins, vitamins, enzymes and more that all promise to make your cattle thrive. So what do you pick? This piece focuses on three main supplements that you can consider for your cattle's stock feed.
Grain supplements
If you are rearing cattle for the primary purpose of meat production, grain supplements are a must-have in their diet. These types of supplements have the primary function of accelerating weight gain in your livestock, which means you can have meat to the market in a shorter period than if you did not incorporate grain supplements in their diet. As a bonus, grain supplements are especially advantageous prior to the winter months. This winter management should begin during the fall, as it allows your cattle to retain most of their weight once the cold sets in.
Protein Meal
Protein is essential for your cattle, as this is what allows them to build muscle. Thus, when in search of supplements for your stock fee, gravitate towards those whose percentage constitutes almost half of the supplements. A few of the options you can choose are supplements derived from cottonseed or soybean. The high quantity of protein in these supplements should be sufficient to make up for the lack of protein in the dry pasture. Moreover, the protein meal supplements also facilitate digestion in your cattle, which is much needed when they are eating dry, wiry grass.
Concentrates
Stock feed concentrates are sold in liquid form because they are much more potent than regular supplements. The concentrates come from different foodstuffs, most commonly barley, oats and wheat. The concentrates are essential to your cattle because they contain different vital nutrients, for example, vitamin A, selenium and so on. The main drawback of concentrates is that they are pricier than regular, solid supplements. Nonetheless, since you only have to administer a few drops at a time, they are worth the cost in the end.