Lick buckets

[Cowlife]

What's everyone's thoughts on lick buckets?
I normally only supplement beef heifers with powder minerals in summer but thought I'd try bolus this year for convenience.
Not convinced they are looking as well as they should, which is undoubtedly mainly down to the weather and thinking they need a push.
Are lick buckets cost effective vs say 1kg of concentrate. They d be handier but I have visions of them scoffing a pallet in a week?

 

[Werzle]

Weathers been rubbish so alot of stock arent looking as good as other years. Buckets are dear , driven past two farms today feeding beef stores with silage and cake which is a good 4-6wks earlier than normal

 

[Skintagain]

Weathers been rubbish so alot of stock arent looking as good as other years. Buckets are dear , driven past two farms today feeding beef stores with silage and cake which is a good 4-6wks earlier than normal

Is it the breeding? Some Continentals almost aren’t fit to graze getting they just don’t thrive

 

[Werzle]

Is it the breeding? Some Continentals almost aren’t fit to graze getting they just don’t thrive

Dont think so, just the winter rain has washed some goodness out the ground and the colder windier weather hasnt helped grass growth or quality.

 

[Skintagain]

Dont think so, just the winter rain has washed some goodness out the ground and the colder windier weather hasnt helped grass growth or quality.

The only stock that has done anything much with us is that where the grass has got in front of them and the roots have got deeper and pulled some minerals up. Short mush has been useless this year

 

[Cowlife]

Is it the breeding? Some Continentals almost aren’t fit to graze getting they just don’t thrive

I suppose theoretically yes as my highlands look fine. But its just been a worse sumer coming off a prolonged wet spell.
I've no problem with supplementary feeding. My query was are lick buckets worth the money or just give them some nuts.

 

[Skintagain]

I suppose theoretically yes as my highlands look fine. But its just been a worse sumer coming off a prolonged wet spell.
I've no problem with supplementary feeding. My query was are lick buckets worth the money or just give them some nuts.

If you are happy to feed every day I would conc them personally. Cheaper

 

[som farmer]

abroad some have separate 'bins' for different types of mineral, and cattle regulate themselves.

here we put out tubs containing a selection of minerals. Intakes can be manipulated by the amount of salt or molasses included, the more, the quicker they finish them !

we use 'forage booster' blocks for our y/s, on occasion, when we have 'run out', have used another well known block, they finish them in about a quarter of the time, of our normal supplier.