Directions for Use of Liquid Pasture Supplements

Riverina Liquid Pasture Supplements are designed to be fed when there is an abundant supply of roughage available. They contain essential nutrients that may be limiting in dry pastures.  Providing these nutrients can stimulate digestion in the rumen and promote consumption of the remaining pasture.

Ideal Pasture

Liquid pasture supplements provide the greatest benefit when the pasture is starting to mature and go to head, through until the pasture is dry with plenty of leaf matter (not stalk). At this stage of growth, pastures are usually lacking protein and many trace minerals. Pasture supplements will work well in these situations to help cattle gain or maintain weight. Green pasture is often limited in minerals, and a supplement may help to improve weight gains by correcting these mineral imbalances. It is recommended to start supplementing before the pasture dries off, as the supplement can help to continue weight gain in the stock. 

When pastures become stalky or in short supply DISCONTINUE feeding. It is recommended that cattle should receive at least 2.5% of body weight/day as dry pasture.

Recommended Feeding Practices 

• Closely monitor intakes when the stock start consuming the supplement.

• Ensure that the maximum feeding rates are not exceeded. If this occurs, discontinue feeding and contact your Riverina representative or stockist.

• Store bulk deliveries in tanks that are suitable for recirculation. Recirculate the contents regularly, to ensure the even distribution of the nutrients.

• Place troughs at least 200m away from water to encourage even grazing of paddocks.

• Allow adequate trough/tub space and place troughs 10-12 metres apart.

• Ensure all stock are vaccinated with a 5 in 1 or 7 in 1 for clostridial diseases.

• If you are in a mineral deficient area, feed salt or phosphate product or Riverina PASTUREPRO® Calphos for 2 weeks prior to starting a liquid supplement. Using these products for a short period, will help meet cravings for salt or phosphorus by the animals. 

• After rain, remove water from the top of the tubs and discard. Then stir the remainder of tub.

• Supplements should be available at all times. Do not let tubs/troughs empty before refilling.

• DO NOT feed cattle products to sheep. Cattle products have high copper levels which can be toxic to  sheep.

• A Riverina representative or your local stockist can provide further assistance when starting cattle.

Drought 

When pasture is in short supply do NOT feed a liquid supplement. Cattle or sheep that are starving or have a short supply of poor quality feed will tend to over consume the supplement. This occurs because animals are:

• Mineral deficient, typically salt or phosphorus.

• Short of food/roughage in general.

• Short of water.

Over consumption in drought situations is heightened when animals have prior experience with consuming liquid supplements or have high nutrient demands eg: animals in the last trimester of pregnancy or lactating animals. Contact your Riverina representative if you need further information.

When over consumption occurs, deaths are commonly due to:

• Overeating Disease - Clostridial micro-organisms in the rumen can rapidly proliferate and produce large amounts of toxins. This can be prevented by vaccination for clostridial diseases. 

• Urea Toxicity - Excessive amounts of urea or ammonia in the rumen can be harmful to the rumen bugs and to the animal. 

Warnings 

• Urea can be toxic to stock. Do not feed with other prepared feeds, supplement or licks.

• Do NOT feed to starving, thirsty, salt or mineral deficient stock.

• Adequate roughage needs to be available at all times (2.5% bodyweight).

• Do NOT feed cattle products to sheep.

• Supplements should be available at all times.

• Clean fresh water should be available at all times.

• If the product contains RUMENSIN^® or BOVATEC^®, DO NOT allow access by dogs, horses or other equines. Consumption can be fatal for these animals.