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When animals are put out to pasture, their feed changes significantly. This creates new opportunities – but also new challenges. Although grass is a valuable feed source, it rarely meets the animals’ requirements for minerals and trace elements on its own. The key to stable production therefore becomes lick buckets.
Grass is not always enough
The quality of grass can vary throughout the season. The content of minerals such as magnesium, sodium, copper and selenium can fluctuate considerably – depending on soil type, fertilisation and weather conditions.
In practice, this means that animals do not achieve the full benefit of the feed they consume.
Visible and hidden consequences
Mineral deficiencies do not always show immediately. Some challenges are visible – others develop gradually:
- uneven weight gain,
- reduced feed efficiency,
- reproductive challenges.
In a busy daily routine, it can be difficult to detect these small changes in time. That is why it is essential to act early.
A stable supply – also in the field
When animals are grazing, it is not possible to control their intake in the same way as in housing systems. Here, availability and continuity become key factors.
Mineral lick buckets are the key to stable production becuase they provide continuous access to essential nutrients directly in the field. The animals regulate their own intake according to their needs, contributing to a more stable mineral supply throughout the grazing season.
At the same time, the need for daily handling is reduced, which can be an advantage during periods of high workload.
Today, several types of mineral lick buckets are available with different compositions, depending on animal type and requirements. At Jorenku, a range of Mineral Lick is offered, developed for use directly on pasture – adapted for cattle, sheep and horses.
Adapted to different animal types
The need for minerals varies between cattle, sheep and horses – and changes according to the animals’ age and production stage.
It is therefore important to choose products that are developed for the specific animal group and application – both in terms of composition and practical use.
Fact: Why many use mineral lick buckets during the grazing season
- ensure access to minerals and trace elements,
- support stable growth and production,
- require minimal daily handling,
- developed for use directly on pasture.