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VA | I am small time cow calf operator and have a couple Bulls with some steers I need to supplement more. Has anyone tried self fed protein tubs with success and which ones have you tried and cost if you don't mind thanks |
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Upper Midwest | Yes, Rangeland, verrrry exspensive. Better to spend dollars on good alf. |
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South Texas | I use them for my heifer pen. Costs about 2.5x what the liquid feed and separate mineral do that my cow heard gets. Any protein tubs I've used also include minerals, somewhere about $100 for 225lbs. |
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all over Iowa | +1. Tubs have their place, usually for convenience or small herds. But costs are less and nutrition targets are covered better by a quality free choice liquid and a good free choice mineral. |
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NE Ga | What is a good free choice mineral? |
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N FLA | I use the cheap Tractor Supply ones when I have some cattle "stranded" where I don't have any other options. Seem to work ok, probably not worth the price except with no alternatives they can charge whatever they want. I'm talking about places where I can't even see a cow but every 3 weeks or so and don't have any feeder available to use anyhow. If you can think of alternatives I would try them first. I like my DDG and salt limiter + mineral in bulk a whole lot more.
I'm going to guess you get what you pay for and not all protein and energy sources are equal, but it has to add up to profit at the end of the day as well. |
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VA | I have a few of the lick tubs laying around the farm but the only reason I was asking about the tubs was its just 5 to 7 head I'm trying to put weight on and thought there might be a cheaper way since I didn't need bulk |
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N FLA | Most common here is "syrup" or molasses. It runs $310-$350/ton. Your dealer will probably fill a feeder at your farm if you buy one a ton at a time. Should have equal protein and energy to your tubs. Your cheapest tubs run about $600/ton. Most here use a molasses feeder with the lick wheels, but some have it in an open tub. If you're in for the long run you can look into a syrup feeder.
Also, keep an eye out for distillers grain or brewers grain. A place here makes tubs from DDG and they are about 15$ cheaper right now.
Edited by puff33m 10/10/2014 20:02
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all over Iowa | You can buy a ton of molasses based liquid supplement plus a four wheel feeder for far less than a ton of tubs. |
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New Mexico | Soy or cotton blocks are generally Half price per ton as comped to tubs. and i'm talking 32 to 38% cp blocks ( no urea ). blocks are easyier to handle and you can visit the cattle more. on dirt just place em in a wheel rim. |
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Protein tubs
