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Supplementing dry pastures

Advice & Warnings for Feeding Dry Supplements

When to Supplement

Dry lick supplements should ideally be introduced before conditions become dry and cattle or sheep start to lose weight. 
When the manure is firm and dry, this indicates the rumen is short of protein and stock are likely to be losing weight. Non-protein nitrogen and true protein from protein meals in the PASTUREPRO® products will stimulate the rumen “bug” population, in turn promoting pasture intake. Supplements can increase intake of dry pastures by up to 30%.

Forge Quality & Availability

  • The level of production is mainly determined by the amount of leaf in the pasture.
  • When pastures have mainly green leaf with little stalk, high production can be achieved. A mineral supplement is beneficial to correct mineral imbalances. 
  • As pasture starts to mature, the amount of leaf declines and the level of stalk increases. As the digestibility reduces, the intake of the pasture will be limited. Protein, vitamin and mineral supplements will be valuable to increase the intake of nutrients as pasture intake declines.
  • When pasture plants are flowering, there is a large amount of fodder in the pasture, but this feed is high in fibre and low in digestibility. The low digestibility will limit the intake of pasture, even with the greater amount of feed. Supplements containing elevated protein, minerals and vitamins will provide otherwise deficient nutrients, encouraging utilization of the pasture and reducing the rate of weight loss. 
  • When the pasture is stalky with little leaf mass, the stock are likely to be losing weight. At this stage, extra energy, protein, vitamins and minerals are needed to maintain weight of the stock. Dry supplements are not recommended, as they will not supply enough nutrients. A Feedlot mix or a Maintenance feed is recommended. A feedlot mix will help to finish the stock for market, whereas a Maintenance feed will help maintain weights of the stock. It is important that the stock are still able to consume roughage, either from the remaining pastures or by feeding hay.

Classes of Cattle

Growing: 
The rumen has developed fully and the protein requirements have declined. Steers and heifers will continue to gain weight until pastures are flowering and just starting to turn brown. PASTUREPRO® Five + Rumensin® should be used prior to flowering and PASTUREPRO® Ten + Rumensin® after flowering. Starting earlier helps to maintain weight gain and turnover rates. 
  • Dry cows and those in early pregnancy can maintain condition on mature pasture (with sufficient leaf). When the level of leaf declines, a supplement such as PASTUREPRO® Breeder is recommended.
Lactating and Late Pregnancy Cows: 
Require greater protein and energy for the developing foetus and for milk production. If pasture is mature and low quality, use PASTUREPRO® Breeder. 
Weaning the calves as soon as possible is recommended as it will reduce the nutrient drain on the cow. 
Pre Joining Cows: 
Supplementing 6 - 8 weeks prior to joining will help improve conception rates. If pastures are green, a vitamin and mineral supplement is all that is necessary but when pastures are dry, extra protein, vitamins and minerals are needed, use PASTUREPRO® Breeder.
Bulls and Growing Bulls:
Use a safe supplement like the PASTUREPRO® Breeder that has low urea and more protein meals. PASTUREPRO® Breeder should be fed 6-8 weeks prior to joining. Young bulls need to be on better quality pastures due to their higher protein requirements. Adjust the feeding rates to maintain an even growth rate. An energy, protein, vitamin and mineral feed supplement may be required when pastures are poor.

How to Feed

Troughs:
  • Open ended troughs or half drums are ideal.  
  • Multiple holes are needed to promote drainage of water.
  • Keep dry and protected from wet weather.  
  • Rainwater sitting on the top of a lick can be high in dissolved urea. If the stock drink this water, it could lead to urea toxicity.
  • Have adequate trough space for the stock to consume the supplement. Bullying can lead to uneven intakes and potential production problems.
  • Once feeding starts, NEVER let the troughs become empty. Overconsumption is likely when troughs are re-filled after being empty. With high urea supplements, overconsumption can lead to urea toxicity.
  • If stock stop consuming the lick (often following a pasture flush) cover the lick with a layer of salt to prevent sudden intakes when conditions become dry.
Water:
  • Livestock need to have easy access at all times to a reliable clean water supply. 
General Advice:
  • Do not add new livestock into mobs that have already adapted to consuming licks. The new animals rumen will not be adapted to the urea in the lick and this could be dangerous.
Monitor Intakes Of The Supplement:
Calculating intake will be the average of the group. Some stock may not be eating and others may be over consuming. As urea can be potentially dangerous if not well managed, maximum feeding rates are noted on all products to alert you that their urea consumption or other additive may be in excess.
Contact your local Riverina representative if this occurs or discontinue feeding. ­­­
Starting Cattle:­­
  • Feed according to the directions on the product label or the product information sheet. 
  • Many areas are salt or phosphorus deficient. Cattle will often over-consume a supplement while trying to top up their reserves of minerals or to meet a nutrient craving. However if the lick contains a high urea level, this can lead to toxicity. A gradual introduction or slow increases in intakes of urea is recommended, when high urea dry supplements are to be fed. 
  • Feed PASTUREPRO® Five + Rumensin® or salt to the cattle. This will help meet their cravings for salt and/or phosphorus.
  • Salt: provide for one week. At the end of the week, if the intake is above 200g/head/day, continue to feed until the intake is reduced down to less than 200g/head/day.
  • PASTUREPRO® Five + Rumensin®: Feed for 2 weeks. Then progress to PASTUREPRO® Ten + Rumensin® for two (2) weeks, followed by PASTUREPRO® Fifteen + Rumensin® (if this is the desired supplement). 
  • For cattle unaccustomed to dry supplements, start by placing troughs near the water points (within 50m). Then move them out into the paddock, at least 200m from a water point. This will encourage grazing of the pasture.
Starting Sheep: 
  • Initially feed out salt to the sheep for a minimum of a week. Feed until intakes rduce to less than 20g/head/day.
  • Then feed out PASTUREPRO® Sheep.

General Warnings When Using PASTUREPRO® Supplements

Dry supplements are concentrated sources of protein, vitamins and minerals and can be safely fed if they are managed properly. You should take note of the following points:
  • Urea can kill stock if consumed too quickly. When starting cattle or sheep on urea supplements, intakes must to be monitored. Each product has a maximum feeding rate that keeps urea and other additives at safe levels.
  • Do not feed with other supplements that may also contain urea or another non-protein nitrogen source. Doubling up can be dangerous.
  • Do not feed supplements to thirsty, starving or salt deficient stock. 
  • If the supplements contain Rumensin® or Bovatec®: Do not feed to dogs, horses or other equines as it may prove fatal.
  • Keep dry at all times.
  • Feed only to the intended species. Beef supplements contain high copper levels that can cause toxicity in sheep.
  • Clean water needs to be available at all times. The PASTUREPRO® products have high salt levels and the stock will drink more water.
  • Supplements are not complete feeds. They are designed to be fed in conjunction with abundant pasture to help balance out nutrient deficiencies.
Contact your Riverina representative if you need further information.

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