General Liquid Supplements

A setup that sits mostly on the “not best” side of the chart can still function, but should be limited to simple liquid blends that are low viscosity at all temperatures. Operations on the “best” side will be able to use suspensions, high fat blends, etc.

Lick Tank Guidelines

The following outlines the management of free-choice feeding with Select Liquid products for beef cows, growing and replacement stock and dairy cows using lick wheel feeders.

1.  Equipment

• Do you have the appropriate type of lick wheel feeders? Your sales representative can provide a list of equipment suppliers. We do not recommend feeding Select Liquid Protein Supplements in open tub feeders.
• Are your lick wheel feeders in working order?
• Does the cover seat and secure properly?
• Do lick wheels turn freely?
• Are your lick wheel feeders clean? Debris, water and other contaminants should be removed before lick wheel feeders are filled with Select Liquid Protein Supplements.
• How many lick wheel feeders will you need? The recommended rate is one lick wheel per 25 head of cattle. A four-wheel lick tank should be sufficient for 100 head or a two-wheel for 50 head.
• Where should the lick wheel feeders be located? If a lick wheel feeder is located too close to water, cattle may over-consume. There should be at least 50 feet or more between the lick wheel feeder and the water supply. On the other hand, lick wheel feeders should not be located too far from the water supply. Placing the lick wheel feeder under a lone shade tree may also cause over-consumption.

2.  Products

• A full range of Select Liquid products with varying levels of protein and other nutrients are available. We recommend Select Liquid Protein Supplements between 16% and 40% for use in lick wheel feeders. Special products for group feeding are also available.

3.  Condition of Cattle

• Are there any apparent health problems in the herd, i.e. runny eyes, foot rot, bloat, worms, hardware disease?
• Do you see signs of mineral deficiency, i.e. rough, dull coats, listlessness, cribbing, dirt consumption, excessive salt intake?
• Resolve health or management problems before placing lick wheel feeders for your cattle.

4.  Provide unlimited roughage, pasture, corn stalks, hay, etc.

• Feed a balanced mineral, usually two parts calcium to one part phosphorus, free choice one week before providing Select Liquid products in lick wheel feeders. Continue to provide free choice mineral while feeding Select liquid products in lick wheel feeders.
• Ensure animals have access to salt.
• Ensure cattle have access to unlimited clean water at all times.
• Ensure that Select Liquid Protein Supplements are continuously available to cattle.
• Do not offer Select Liquid Protein Supplements to newly arrived or stressed cattle until they are calm and have consumed a ration of roughage and water.
• Voluntary consumption rates may be unusually high or low during the first 1-2 weeks after initial exposure to free choice Select Liquids. If abnormal consumption continues after this adjustment period, adjustments in the ration or lick tank placement should be made.
• If consumption of Select Liquid products from lick wheel feeders seems excessively high or low, review check list, and, if necessary, consult with your sales representative.
• The reasons for significant changes in consumption can usually be identified and controlled by adjusting management practices or roughage conditions.