By consulting your extension worker and using mineral blocks . Numbers in brackets refer to illustrations in the Extension Materials.
Minerals are an essential component in the diet of all animals.
In dairy cattle and buffalo, minerals are required for the maintenance of general health and for proper growth and reproductive functions as well as to meet the quantities of minerals that are secreted in the milk. Some animals may be able to obtain all the requirements of the minerals that they need from their normal diet. On the other hand, most animals may not show any obvious signs of a deficiency even if they do not receive adequate quantities of minerals. However, they will yet be susceptible to diseases, will not become pregnant in time and will have a slower growth and lower production than can be obtained, had they received an adequate supply of the required minerals. The mineral supplements available in the market are produced to a standard formula and it may not be economical to feed such supplements under some conditions of feeding.