Introducing protein tubs into your pasture is a convenient way to provide additional nutrition. Once it’s in place, you don’t need to check it daily, which is particularly beneficial for those with other commitments, such as a job in town, who can’t be on the ranch daily.
A benefit it can provide for both the full-time and ‘part-time‘ rancher is that a protein tub can improve the overall grazing in a pasture. You can move them into areas where the cattle don’t usually graze, which we refer to as ‘underutilized areas ‘, to encourage cattle to move to those areas.
Doing your homework before making any decision is prudent when making any investment. So, before you run off to the local feed store, I have five things you can look at before you buy your first protein tub.
Step #1: Do I even need protein tubs?
This question may seem like a pretty “duh” question to most of us, but some people out there do not even consider if they need it before buying one. Before you have dropped a nice chunk of change, you will need to figure out if a protein tub is even required.
An excellent way to determine if supplements are needed is by doing a forage analysis. A forage analysis will tell you what types of nutrients and in what quantities your forages are providing.
Another factor you should consider is the overall quality of your forages. Here in Texas, we can be dry for most of the year, so using a protein tub is necessary. Along with forage analysis, looking at the sheer amount that you have is another good idea.
Once you have determined the amount of nutrition your forages provide, you should look at your cattle’s nutritional needs. The stage of production your cattle are in will determine what they need. For example, a cow in late gestation will have completely different needs than a dry one.
Once you have all of this information, it is time for you to do some math work. You will take what is being provided and what the nutritional needs are; if there is a deficit, then you will need to provide a supplement.
Step#2: What does the protein cost per lb?
When considering the cost of protein tubs, an accurate comparison method is essential. By breaking down the cost per pound, you can make a more informed decision. This approach can reveal that a seemingly more expensive product is actually more cost-effective when you consider the amount of nutrition it provides.
To determine this, you can use a formula like the one I used in a previous post, ‘What is that Hay bale worth?’. I will use the formula to determine the cost per unit of protein, but you can use it to find the cost per unit of other nutrients or even the cost per unit of weight gain in your cattle.
A benefit of protein tubs is that they are very, very low in moisture due to their manufacturing, so you won’t necessarily have to find out what the unit per dry matter is. A formula that can be used is this:
Cost of the protein tub / % Protein= Cost per unit of protein
When you have the numbers from the formula, then you can more accurately compare “apples to apples.“
Step#3: Where do the minerals come from?
When evaluating protein tubs, it’s crucial to consider the source of the minerals they contain. This attention to detail demonstrates your commitment to your cattle’s health and well-being.
A usual comparison that you will find is chelated vs non-chelated minerals.
Chelated
- bound to a chelated agent, organic compounds, or amino acids
- typically tend to be more expensive
- and can be recognized by the terms “proteinate or amino acid chelate.”
- allow for better absorption and utilization
Non-chelated
- It can be identified by the terms “oxide,” “chloride,” or “sulfate.”
- tend to be less expensive (which makes it the most common choice with feed producers)
- Not as well absorbed as chelated, especially with animals under stressful conditions
- A more common type of mineral that you will find
Step#4: Will the protein tubs have IGR?
Depending on the type of year when you are providing a protein tub, you may need to have one with IGR. This acronym stands for the Insect growth regulator, which controls flies around your cattle.
When the cattle consume the supplement with this additive, it doesn’t affect them in any way, so they pass it along in the manure. While it is there, flies will place eggs in the feces, and as the larvae grow, the IGR chemical will prevent them from getting past a particular stage.
When it comes to using IGR in your protein tubs, timing is of the utmost importance. It is recommended to start feeding it 30 days before the emergence of the flies. This time is usually in early spring when the temperatures begin to get in the 60s. An example is here in Texas, which means generally in the middle of March.
Once you have started feeding this, you must keep feeding the IGR through most of the year. In order to be most effective, you will keep providing it till 30 days after the 1st frost of the year.
Step#5: What size tub do I need?
Now that you have done the “math homework” and have come to the decision that you will need to use protein tubs for your place. Now, you will need to determine how large of a tub you will need.
This decision is influenced by the number and size of the cattle you will be supplementing.
A general rule of thumb is that you will need to have one tub per 25 heads of cattle. This thinking is a relatively easy and fast rule, but we will need to look at the consumption rates.
Another thing to look at is what kind of equipment you will be able to use. Protein tubs range from around 40 lbs. all the way up to close to 250 lbs. If you do not have a tractor or skid steer to move the tubs around, it is better to go with the lighter ones. Otherwise, you risk injuring yourself and being unable to manage your ranch effectively.
