Cattlemen to sponsor mineral program

CARROLLTON, Ohio – Family farmers are challenged these days to remain profitable. One way to compete without actually getting larger is to simply “act larger” by joining with other local producers.
The Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association has developed a cooperative mineral purchasing program for local beef producers, which allows beef producers of any size to take advantage of a cost benefit typically available only to larger operations.
Four mixes. According to Mike Hogan, Ohio State University Extension educator for Carroll and Harrison counties, beef cow producers may choose from four brood cow mineral and vitamin mixes and save up to $3.30 per 50-pound bag.
There is no minimum order per farm, but farms that order a ton (40 50-pound bags) will also receive a $10 per ton rebate from Carrollton Farmers Exchange.
Carrollton Farmers Exchange has been chosen by the Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association to serve as the vendor for the cooperative purchase. All of the mixes meet mineral requirements recommended by Ohio State University animal scientists.
New mix. A new mineral mix designed specifically for cattle consuming forages grown on reclaimed strip mined ground is being offered during the cooperative purchase. This mineral mix can also be used with cattle consuming water high in sulfur.
Increased sulfur levels in forages and water can prevent copper contained in typical mineral mixes from being available, Hogan explained.
The Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association will conduct the cooperative mineral purchasing program twice each year, so Hogan recommends that beef producers order approximately 35 to 50 pounds of mineral mix per cow for a six-month period.
The mineral mixes will be packaged in plastic lined bags and will have a shelf life of at least six months.
Don’t wait. All orders must be made by Dec. 3, and will be available for pickup at the Carrollton Farmers Exchange Dec. 14 through Dec. 24.
Orders must be prepaid and sent to Wendy Davis, Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association Treasurer, 1114 Montero Rd., Carrollton, OH 44615.
Order forms which also contain complete analyses for the mineral mixes are available at the Carroll County office of OSU Extension at 32 W. Main St. in Carrollton.
For more information, contact OSU Extension at 330-627-4310.