Salt as you may know is one of the important building blocks for cattle. This, along with other minerals, are necessary for cattle to perform at their best.
An interesting thing about salt is that cattle have a natural “urge” to consume it. What this means is that unlike other minerals they will actually seek it out. If for some reason they are not able to find it then they will try to ingest it from other sources. This is when you will see cattle eating odd things such as tree bark, dirt, and even urine.
As I mentioned a couple of paragraphs earlier salt is very important for the overall function of cattle. Along with adding in milk production it will assist with other functions too. These functions are things like reproduction, blood flow, and even sweating. Though I am pretty sure that last one should be pretty obvious.
Is salt necessary for cattle?
Without going into too much detail the answer to this question is a resounding YES. Salt is a very important nutrient needed for the general functioning of cattle. In this way it makes them not that much different from us people.
Salt is a necessary mineral for cattle and one that they need to consume on a daily basis. Now this does not mean that you will have to force feed this or anything since most of what they normally eat contains it. They are able to derive salt naturally from things like the forages they consume in the pasture. In fact, depending on where your ranch is located, they could even get a small amount from the water that they drink.
Since they will need to consume it on a daily basis it is a good idea for you to monitor the amount they are eating. This will ensure that they are getting it in the amounts that they are needing. A deficiency in this can lead to things like a loss of appetite. Once they get that then it can lead to things like weight loss and a decrease in production.
Salt does not just help out just the cow, it is also necessary for the calf that she will have nursing. As I mentioned earlier salt helps out with milk production. The sodium found in salt helps both cow and calf with the absorption of calcium too.
The fact that they will seek it out can also be helpful to you the producer as well. You can use it as a topdressing or in a mixture to get them to consume other minerals that they need.
What are their requirements?
The amount of salt that your cows will need to consume will depend on their age and their stage of production. For example, a dry mature cow will not need as much as one that is in the early lactating stage.
But how much exactly do they need? Well research conducted by the University of Missouri says that the maximum level advisable is 0.08% of the dry matter intake for dry cows and 0.1% for lactating cows.
A general rule of thumb is that cattle will need to consume 0.005% to 0.010% of their body weight as salt daily. For a 1,200lbs cow that means she needs to take in between 0.06 to 0.12lbs of salt daily.
The type of feed that cows are eating can also affect the amount of salt that they will need to take in from other sources. Cows tend to eat more salt with a high-forage diet vs a high-concentrate one.
It should also be noted that they will also consume more when the grass is “green and succulent” vs ones that are in the mature stage of growth. This is due to there being less available in the younger forages.
Why do I need to supplement salt to cattle?
The short answer to this question is that forages alone will not generally provide all of the salt that your cattle will need to take in. The amount they can get from forages will be dependent on the part of the country you are in, what the topography is, and even what kind of fertilizer that you use.
Many grass species that can be found in the pasture will only provide 1/2 to 1/6 of the amount your cows need. This is another example of why it is a good idea to have your forages tested. This is so you will know what nutrients are being provided and which you need to supplement for.
Another factor that you will need to look at is what other minerals are present in your forages. Minerals like potassium can inhibit the absorption of salt. It is important for you to find the right balance between minerals for your cattle to reach their optimal performance levels.
Speaking of mineral balances, the salt-potassium balance in your cattle is related to their absorption of Magnesium. This is why in the early spring it is possible for your cows to get grass tetany. It is during this time that potassium is high in forages while at the same time salt is low.
Another reason you will need to supplement is that mixing salt with other mineral supplement will make them more palatable for cattle.
A word of caution with supplementing salt, you will need to keep an eye on their consumption. While it is rare salt toxicity is possible to occur.
Types of salt supplements for cattle
Salt type supplements typically come in 2 forms: loose and block. While one may not be superior to the other it entirely depends on your particular situation and needs.
One drawback to using loose supplement is that cows tend to consume more when it is in this form. This is because they do not have to work as hard to get it versus the block.
If you do go with the loose salt supplement one option that you can go with is to pour it over the ration. This can help with the consumption of the ration and control the amount of salt that they are eating.
With blocks there are a few options that you can choose from
- White
- Sulfur
- Trace
- Etc.
If you are looking to learn more about the pros and cons of the different types of salt blocks out there then I suggest you check out a previous article of mine “What color salt block is best?”.
If you are going to be feeding it either loose or in block form it is best that you place them near a water source. With the increase in salt taken in they will need to drink more water which will help prevent toxicity.
