AGRICULTURAL
32 | Lick supplements
and , if necessary , to adjust his / her lick supplement ..
THE MOST IMPORTANT MYTHS One of the most important myths relating to strategic lick supplements , is that licks are often seen as a wonder cure , a magic wand which can address a lack of proper fundamental management principles . The best products and lick programmes cannot make up for sub-standard livestock management practices or poor grazing management . The average lick intake of a cattle unit is between 3.5 % - 5 % of the total annual dry material intake . We lose the battle on the remaining 95 % and often expect licks to fix everything .
In the second place , we often see the generalisation rule . This is when producers believe that , should a specific product ( or in many instances a home-mixed ration ) work for his / her neighbour , it will work for him as well . If this is not the case such a product quickly gets a poor reputation . We cannot follow a shotgun-approach in respect of lick supplements . Every farm is unique in many respects , from management right through to the type of grazing and type of animal . It is therefore critically important to align your lick programme with your farm and the requirements of your type of animal . More importantly , it must be possible to adjust your lick programme from year to year , should it be necessary .
In the third place , and definitely one of the most important debates around lick supplements , is and will always be costs . I am an advocate of supplements which are economically justifiable and want to prevent production being bought at all costs , but there is a very fine balance which has to be maintained . A lot has been written about the economic benefits of the correct strategic lick supplement and a lot of research has been done in this area , which highlighted the benefits of critical economic parameters , such as conception figures , calving / lambing percentages , weaning weights and reconception percentages . The objective of the article is not to emphasise the financial benefits of lick supplements , but rather to leave the following thoughts : Are licks really expensive , or is it expensive not to provide licks ? We are all aware of the correlation between body condition count and conception percentages . The second thought regarding the economy of lick supplements is the cost debate . We have to make sure that a cheaper lick does not become a very expensive option in the end - know what you are paying for . We are often guilty of watering licks down in order to save money . Licks are an allor-nothing approach , but in the long run there is a high price to be paid .
CONCLUSION No lick programme will be successful if we do not meet the basic requirements of the animal . The single biggest reason for licks not meeting their purpose , is simply because of a lack of natural grazing . We often hear the remark “ The cattle will eat me bankrupt ”, and where well-formulated
products are adjusted to save costs . Make sure that your lick programme is adjusted for your type of animal , type of production system and , very important , is aligned with the quality and quantity of your natural resource offering . It is normal for two neighbours to follow two totally different lick strategies at the same time due to factors such as the condition of the animals , production status of the animals or the quality of grazing . Guard against generalisation . Do the correct economic calculations for your farm , your conditions , rather than basing your decision to purchase on the cheapest product . Calculate the intake estimates for your animals in proportion to the formulation of the lick and base your calculation on lick cost per animal per day . The cheapest lick is not always the cheapest in reality . In conclusion , your lick supplement must be approached in a holistic manner and should not be placed in a little box . Licks are just another tool in our toolbox which can be used to maximise profit , should the other tools also be present in the toolbox .
34
SENWES SCENARIO | WINTER 2018