The use of either loose lick or block mineral supplements in livestock enterprises has long been debated. Statements regarding their use cover the full spectrum, ranging from being essential in reducing deficiencies and assisting production, to having no noticeable impact at all.
Recent independent trials conducted at the Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre have demonstrated the positive benefit of Fabstock supplements on lamb growth rates finished on high quality lucerne pasture. The weights of lambs ranged from light stores (28kg) through to trade lambs (50kg), and were finished for six weeks. Lambs provided with ad lib Fabstock Feedlot Mix achieved growth rates up to 100g/day higher than those not on supplement. The increase was achieved across all weight categories, with lambs reaching growth rates around 500g/day at stages during the trial.
Treatments were swapped toward the end of the trial and the response to Fabstock was immediate — lambs that were previously not receiving supplement increased their growth rates, and those taken off Fabstock dropped to lower levels. This indicates that mineral supplementation of lambs needs to be maintained throughout the finishing timeframe.
The average advantage of the supplemented lambs at sale was $9 per lamb. With the cost of Fabstock over the six weeks averaging $1.50 per head, this represents a return of 600% on the expense of Fabstock.
Definitely worth its weight and more — even on high quality pasture.
