Feed blocks/buckets

[shearerlad]

I’ve taken on a bit of ground this autumn for sheep grazing only. The ground is in reasonable condition but hasn’t been grazed since last summer (2019). There is a nice flush of green grass and white clovers coming through a lot of rank and dead standing stuff.
It’s stocked at roughly 2 ewes/acre and I’m hoping not to have to feed any daily conc over the winter.
I’m considering using a block or bucket to help the ewes utilise and digest the rank roughage so hopefully getting the grass back in shape for the on coming summer.
At the moment I’m looking at the Crystalyx standard or the Rumevite Hill grazer. I’ve not priced them yet but looking at all possible options. I’ll probably move onto a high energy type 6ish weeks pre lambing.

 

[yellowbelly]

Crystalyx are probably the Rolls Royce of blocks, but they certainly charge Rolls Royce prices.

Not priced any standard Cystalyx this year but last year similar spec blocks were £130/te cheaper.

Ordered our high energy blocks this week (much earlier than usual as I was worried this lockdown situation might affect delivery times).
Rumevite Maxx were £184/te cheaper than Crystalyx High Energy.

The Crystalyx rep said, "Ah, but ours are harder and they last longer."
Last year we offered both sorts, side by side, and both buckets were eaten at the same rate. At £184/te saving its a no brainer, IMHO.

 

[Anymulewilldo]

If they have plenty of rough pulling too go at as well as the bit of fresh I’d just offer a general purpose mineral block. Just too make sure they weren’t going short of anything.
If the weather turns bad later on I’d be using something like Rumevite too keep them topped up.

 

[livestock 1]

I still use buckets/blocks but as you increase sheep numbers it becomes obvious that on some occasions it isn’t cost effective.
If you have rough grazing we find molasses of some description is better urea one better value. That’s maybe not an option

 

[Woolless]

I wintered ewe hoggs on grass as you describe a couple of years ago. 25(?) got a block weekly and they did really well.

I would think that the more you portion it up for them by shutting gates or electric fence, the better they'll do and the longer it will last. An energy tub for water should be sufficient.

 

[hally]

I never think they are cost effective and consider them a waste of money. Our vet calls them sweeties for sheep and has a similar opinion of them as me. Ok for carrying mag to vulnerable stock but as a feed source I am unconvinced

 

[Bob the beef]

Give them a bolus to cover Co/Se/Cu/I, and as said above rotational grazing will do just as good a job, at a fraction of the investment.

 

[hally]

Should blood test for trace element deficiency really. last couple of times we tested we were only slightly low in cobalt so just add a cheap cobalt to any worming products and multivitndose pre lambing

 

[Gator]

Used these for the last 2 years at just over 17 quid a pop

 

[andybk]

I never think they are cost effective and consider them a waste of money. Our vet calls them sweeties for sheep and has a similar opinion of them as me. Ok for carrying mag to vulnerable stock but as a feed source I am unconvinced

Its the small amount of urea that does the good , helping breakdown poor fibrous grass , dont bother on decent grazing but on rough ground just keeps them ticking over , that said if ewes hit them hard (blocks) , its time to move them as they will be going backward .
on the OP if you can split the block down a bit so you get a bit of regrowth on what you grazed last , will help it last longer and get it down cleaner when you go back over it