Why Salt and Mineral Licks are Important for Cattle

Animal husbandry and owning cattle on a homestead is a rewarding experience. On a homestead or hobby farm, cattle often become part of the family.  When our grandkids come to see us, they are excited to see their favorite cow, Jenny, and the young calves.  Not only do these animals provide milk for their calves and meat for our table, but they also play an important role in maintaining soil fertility and keeping unwanted plants at bay. However, caring for cattle involves more than just feeding them hay and giving them access to water. Cattle require specific nutrients that they don’t always get from grazing alone. Let’s go over the importance of salt and mineral licks for cattle.

On our little ranch, we are a mix of a  steer and a calf-cow operation. 

Our steers must receive the necessary minerals and salt intake to ensure proper weight gain and provide the highest quality beef for our family and customers.  Just as important, or even more important, is that our pregnant cows receive all the necessary nutrients and important minerals to produce strong, healthy calves.  Deficiencies in minerals like phosphorus, zinc, selenium, and manganese may cause infertility, loss of pregnancy, and stillbirths.

Healthy calves get the best start possible to produce the highest quality beef.   Studies have shown that calves born with poor skeletal structure were born from cows lacking important nutrients during gestation.  Trace mineral supplementation also results in heavier calves at weaning, making weaning easier on the calves.

Salt licks, also known as salt blocks, are essential for cattle health.

The benefits of salt licks are they help regulate water balance within the body and aid in transmitting nerve impulses. Without a source of salt, cattle will become dehydrated, lethargic, and may even stop eating. By ensuring that your cattle have access to salt, you’re helping to keep them healthy and happy. Salt licks can easily be purchased at your local farm supply store.  It is a good idea that salt licks be placed in a covered area to prevent rain from dissolving the block too quickly.

Mineral licks have trace elements that are another must-have for cattle.

These licks contain essential nutrients that are vital to cattle health, including calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. The nutrients in mineral licks help strengthen and support bones, improve immune function, and increase fertility. Depending on the brand, a mineral lick may be fortified with vitamins and other minerals that benefit cattle. Mineral licks can be purchased as loose minerals or compressed blocks and should be placed in a covered area where cattle can easily access them.

Choosing the right salt and mineral licks for your cattle is important.

It’s essential to ensure that the licks are high quality and free from impurities that may harm your animals. It’s also important to consider the age of your cattle when selecting licks. Young cattle require more salt and minerals than mature animals, so providing them with additional licks is vital. Additionally, pregnant and lactating cows require more nutrients than non-pregnant animals. Whatever the age or stage of your cattle, providing them with access to high-quality salt and mineral licks is crucial for their health and well-being.

It’s worth noting that licks aren’t the only source of essential nutrients for cattle. High-quality hay, pasture, and feed are equally important and should comprise the bulk of your cattle’s diet. However, licks can help fill any gaps in your cattle’s nutritional needs, especially if your pasture or hay supply lacks certain minerals.  A well-balanced diet, salt, and mineral licks can help keep your cattle healthy and thriving.

Let’s review the important aspects of salt and minerals for your cattle.

Salt is Essential for Hydration

Most people associate salt with dehydration, but cattle need enough salt intake to maintain proper hydration.  Salt encourages water consumption, which is critical for hydrating your animals during the hot summer months or times of low water availability. With a lack of salt in the diet, cows can become dehydrated, leading to many problems, including reduced milk production, muscle weakness, and even death. Adequate water intake is vital for all livestock.

Mineral Licks are Necessary for Healthy Growth

In addition to salt licks, premium mineral licks are equally crucial for your homestead cattle. Cattle require a variety of minerals to maintain healthy growth and development. When pastures are overgrazed or haven’t had a chance to recover and grow the necessary plants, the soil becomes depleted of essential minerals. Mineral licks are essential for your cattle to get a full range of minerals that may not be available in their diet. This is especially important if your livestock is grazing on land that is not naturally rich in minerals.  Mineral licks contain essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.  Calcium is vital for strong bones and teeth.  Magnesium helps with milk production for dairy cows and nursing cows.  It can ward off the possibility of grass tetany, a condition where cows cannot walk. Phosphorus is essential for cellular energy and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.

Salt and Mineral Licks are Critical for Maintaining Weight

Cattle seek out salt and mineral licks as part of their natural behavior. In ranches with large amounts of acreage, cows would have access to different vegetation types, offering them the minerals and nutrients they need. However, on a homestead, cattle are often grazing on the same grass and as a result, are not receiving the full spectrum of minerals and nutrients that they need.

Our small ranch does not have enough free-ranging pastureland and long, snowy winters, so we must supplement feed our beef cattle with hay bales. This means we must supplement their feed intake with salt and mineral blocks to ensure proper weight gain.

Preventing Health Problems with Salt and Mineral Licks

In addition to providing essential trace minerals, these licks can help prevent certain health issues. For example, salt licks can help control parasites by encouraging the animal to drink clean water, reducing the likelihood of infection. Providing mineral licks helps prevent deficiencies, which can lead to multiple health issues.

Here are some symptoms of mineral deficiencies in cattle.

• Rough coat or unhealthy hair
• Low immunity and susceptibility to disease
• Poor fertility
• Poor growth rates
• Anemia
• Chronic diarrhea and, therefore, weight loss

Here are some symptoms of sodium deficiency.

• Reduced water intake
• Weight loss
• Reduced milk production
• Pica – Pica is defined as a cow’s impulse to lick and chew on things with no nutritional value, such as stones and clay dirt.

Promoting Good Behavior in Livestock

Having multiple salt and mineral licks around the pasture is a good idea.     This can help discourage aggressive behavior by giving animals multiple spaces to access these essential nutrients.  Proper nutrition is especially important for breeding and gestating females, so providing easy access to salt and mineral licks can help keep them healthy and calm.

Looking after cattle is a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its challenges. Providing your animals access to premium quality salt and mineral licks is essential to cattle care. Salt licks help regulate water balance within the body, while mineral licks provide vital nutrients that support bone strength, immune function, and fertility. When used correctly, salt and mineral licks can promote your homestead cattle’s good health and well-being. So, head to your local farm supply store today and stock up on these essentials.

If you don’t have livestock and are considering adding cattle to your homestead or hobby farm, read my post on The Best Cattle for Hobby Farms or Homesteads.

Let me know what your favorite cattle supplements are in the comment box at the bottom of this page.

Yvonne♥