The Sidney herald., 1959-08-05
Watch Range Cattle Phosphate
CONSUMPTION Closely


drying up and maturing, it is ex-
tremely important that a phos-
phate supplement be supplied in
adequate amounts. To illustrate
the point, last year we sampled
four ranges in different rea OF
the county and we found that
from the latter part of July on,
the range plants supplied only
about one half of the normal
phosphate requirements for breed
ing cattle. This means that an
outside source of phosphate must
be consumed or the cattle will
soon go out of condition as this
mineral is vital for proper util-
cation for all food consumed, nor
NAL reproduction, and good milk
production.
According to our range samp-
ling data of a year ago, a mature
breeding COW now needs around
| one-half pound of additional
phosphate per month. This means
that if a supplement such as
monosodilm phosphate is used
which contains % percent phos-
phorus, a COW should consume
around two pounds per month.
For a breeding herd then of 100
COWS, 200 pounds of monosodium
phosphate should be consumed in
a month when the grass natures.
Some common mineral mix
lures which have been used with
good ucce locally to supply
phosphorus needs of range cattle
are one-third monosodium phos-
phate and two-thirds salt, a fifty
fifty mixture of salt and bone
meal, monosodium phosphate and
bonemeal mixed in equal parts
and in turn mixed half and half
with salt. To keep homemade
mineral mixtures such as these
from caking, it is a good idea to
add a bulky feed such as bran or
ground feed to the mixture. In
certain ranges where high alkah
salt concentrations r in the soil
and water, some ranchers have
been able to obtain proper phos-
phate consumption by mixing
monosodium phosphate and bran
or ground feed in equal parts. AS
many of you have no doubt ex-
perienced, it is difficult to get
cattle to consume salt under
alkaline range conditions so
therefore the phosphate must be
supplied apart from salt. If a
commercial mineral mixture is
used, be sure that it contains at
least 10 percent phosphorus. 1t
is also important to have weather
proof mineral feeders for cattle
on the range. We have plans
here at the office for making
mineral feeders from discarded
oil barrels if you desire this type
of information. We also have an
Extension Service publication en-
titled Minerals for Montana Cattle
and Sheep which gives detailed
information on mineral feeding.
So far we have not had the same
phosphate deficiency problems
sheep SO we have not men
Toned this animal much in rela-
ion to this particular problem.
FIELD BINDWEED CONTROL
Morning glory or field bindweed
to be one of the main
perennial weed pests in Montana.
In 1858, AZ counties reported
nfestations ~totaling more than
$1,000 acres. With the general
Use of 2,4-D we would normally
expect the morning glory popu-
alton to decline but this has not
,een the case to date in Montana
md in some other states. Re-
earch on this problem has been
increased as a result. Farmers
re advised to be vigilant in the
.arly eradication of small plots to
prevent the multiplying bindweed
,roblem. A summer falloW pro-
ram which has proved effective
n the past includes a combined
Utilization and 2,4-D spray pro-
ram using rs to l pound of 2,4-D
the summer cultivation
.rogram, following with an ap-
lication of 2 pounds of 2,4-D per
ere applied in place of the last
Utilization in the fall. Farmers
Tho have not made the earlier
publications. may start their con-