Cafeteria mineral feeder discussion

Cafeteria mineral feeder discussion. Our sheep have been switched to cafeteria style mineral. This allows them to select exactly which mineral they need.

[@anthonyc362]

It is amazing to me how many people who call themselves ranchers are so ignorant about properly raising livestock and soil management. I see most ranches with no rotation, no minerals and not enough water for the livestock. Thanks for what you do Greg. You have some great apprentices there.

[@melvinrexwinkle1510]

Explain what you mean "not enough water for cattle"

[@vitomilillo8566]

I can never say it enough, thank God for Ben and Isaac!!!! Where ever they wind up the will continue to be a great asset to the industry. Because they have the greatest teacher. God Bless

[@georgeheller2281]

That's right Greg "don't hurt your back!" If I knew what I did now I would have listened to people that told me that.

[@timh9407]

Yep permanantly disabled because of my back

[@georgeheller2281]

@@timh9407 Just was told I can't work at the trade I have been doing for 20 years. Now just wanting to walk without pain so I can do some grazing.

[@NS-pf2zc]

Oh amen. Work smart not hard...even in farming!

[@Nick-ow7th]

Natasha S. Especially in farming!

[@mikepowell8611]

The trick is to lift with a quick jerking motion, just take the legs completely out of the equation.

[@tammoilliet8683]

I love how Greg employs the cows to spread fertilizer on the land as well as harvest forage all free!

[@Digger927]

It took my cattle forever to start using my FCE mineral station but they seem to be using about half of it pretty decent now. I pull mine around with my Ranger, it pulls it fine. That topper mod would be nice for cattle as well, mine don't like having to try to get under the darn thing. Having that topper propped up with a little space at the edge would make it much easier for the cattle to get under it to flip it up. I'm going to build my own for my sheep one of these days.

[@conradhomestead4518]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I’m coming back to this after seeing this 5 months ago . You are creating a video library that fellow regenerative farmers can reference. Thank you Greg!

[@leen3846]

Great video Greg! Great folks at FCE. We have started using their mimeral and love it. Like you, we have lost a few lambs that way but still love the product and recomend the modifications for sheep and goats.

[@randolphbutler1832]

Wow! A lot to know about keeping stock healthy. You have made the stretch. Good to have such knowledgeable lab techs. Thank you for sharing. 🐂🐏😷👍

[@SasquatchBioacoustic]

Great video, very informative. The three of you have complimentary talents and together make a great team. Thanks for teaching me something today.

[@janagannaway9223]

Thank you!!! I have been waiting for you to put out this exact video! Very informative!

[@jamesdouglas6846]

So much of this is just common sense and time. I always knew that minerals were key to livestock but could never find the resources to give me better guidance. Thanks, Greg, and I will be looking up FCE.

[@petereldracher5660]

I need to make one of these pronto. Amazing video, your animals are better off than most people. Though I know a lady that has something similar for her own use. She says that what you need tastes good and that's how you know.

[@tomcondon6169]

Re: The sheep mineral feeder. If the lambs flex the top in a way that could allow it to flex on another lamb, screw an ⅛ inch steel band underneath so it won't flex. You can tape over it so the sharp edge doesn't catch the sheep's noses.

[@andreafalconiero9089]

That might make the thing too heavy, since the animals would need to lift the whole lid rather than just part of it to find the mineral they need. I guess you could break the support into multiple sections. Also, it might be better to screw the support onto the _top_ of the rubber sheet rather than underneath, to avoid creating a sharp edge.

[@flyingpigpreserve8562]

Very Informative and nice Mineral Feeder. Sorry you lost a Lamb. But being who you are you corrected the situation immediately. You take real good care of your animals and they repay you with excellent Meat. God Bless and Peace Be With You All

[@DeadTalkLive]

Very interesting clip ♥! As a current KZbinr, I am contantly searching for fresh ideas! Excellent Job!

[@tedbastwock3810]

Very informative, thank you all for it. Now I know a company where I can get this stuff. I've seen these minerals being used, but didn't know the background. Thank you for taking the time to explain. Best Regards

[@sebastianbroich8458]

Fred Provenza's book and also the youtube presentation on grass fed exchange is very informativ on this topic. They really know what they need. Unfortunatley i haven't found a free choice mineral supplier in Germany yet.

[@searlearnold2867]

Great to see how regenerative holistic management has figured out easy solutions to proactively manage nutrient deficiencies in individual animals. All that I have seen with the traditional/ CAFO/ industrial beef model is to force feed a one size fits all multi nutrient-mix that is usually added to a one size fits all feed if it is even considered. Usually on the traditionally managed beef operations, they chase deficiencies when they notice a major symptom or illness and then treat with massive interventions.

[@NS-pf2zc]

I LOVED this!! Minerals and soil biology....that is where it is at! I'm a bit of a geeky hippy farmer...so this was right up my alley! I'm just a bit disappointed that your intern didn't go through the nitty gritty details of all the minerals, but that might have taken forever, I'm sure. You have some smart guys with you, for sure. Maybe you can let them do a video going over each mineral, if that is something you guys would like to do. And Greg, I bet you've heard of Elaine Inghram...she talks about how the soil micro biology will actually take pretty much all rock and dirt, and provide those minerals to the plants. I'd bet that that is one of the main reasons your livestock don't need as many minerals on the Judy Farm. Your management over the years has most definitely increase that soil life, that those microbes have been breaking down and making available to the plants those minerals that otherwise would have been inert and not available. Ok...I'm geeking out I'm sure, I'll stop there. Haha

[@vonmajor]

On your thread about the subsoil rocks providing everything the soil will eventually need dovetails with the played out farm growing weeds and weeds healing soils. Many of the maligned weeds will have tap roots that go deep. The interaction with soil microbes allow the weed to bring it to the surface and perhaps improve, ie heal the soil. Unfortunately many will go bankrupt before that plays out. So a top down boost like the free choice will jump start the process and later the optimal forages like Alph alpha Gamma Grass, and other deep rooted plants will complete the process. In addition this is not a closed system. All the animals will leave the scene unlike the Deer, Buffalo, Elk, Wolves, Vultures, and the Hunter Gathers who walked the land for eons. Great complement to the system now in place. Wish you well on your farm.

[@NS-pf2zc]

@@vonmajor Thank you!

[@erikbudrow1255]

​@@vonmajorunder-rated comment

[@williamwallace7299]

Great video

[@chelemichele1524]

Bummer about the loss.. Have a good evening 🌻🌻🌻

[@1mtstewart]

Greg cafeteria plan for mineralization. This concept should work for poultry, goats, cattle and sheep, with exceptions for toxicities. Does the spacing allow for cattle or do you have another feeder to follow the herd? That belting comes in plys that are thicker or thinner. Try Bi-State rubber for a source. They did most of our splicing on belts that didn't have a mechanical splice. Trying to lift a whole side of that may be too much for lambs, maybe a wider center gussett with the belting cut in half there with an overlap would be easier? Also, a lonk to your mineral sourcing would be great. Our five generation mill went dirment recently, so all of the recipes we relied on for years are gone until they come back. Life moves on.

[@suzannebenz8928]

Thank you!

[@patrickmcginnis6898]

Good morning Greg! Getting close to purchasing from FCE and intend to modify as you describe for sheep. Just wanted to make certain this was still working well for you before making the investment (since you mention in this video it was relatively new at the time for your sheep flock). Thank you again for everything you do for us.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

We are using FCE minerals with the sheep now for 4 years. Doing well.

[@patrickmcginnis6898]

Started a few weeks back and the lambs seem to be happy with it. They aren't consuming copper any more than the others, but enough that it is making me a bit nervous. Perhaps that is just because we have all heard so much about toxicity, but I wondered if you did anything special when first introducing it to your sheep?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

@patrickmcginnis6898 nope, just trusted that they would not kill themselves!!!

[@patrickmcginnis6898]

Sometimes that's the best way. Thank you for the quick reply... Can't imagine what's it's like keeping up with that. Appreciate you!

[@toddcaskey9984]

Great job , how is the 2 track you seeded with hay coming along ?

[@vitalityFarms]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Mr. Judy. It would be nice to hear your thoughts on supplementing the cattle with wild Kelp for a mineral source? Thanks, Michael

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

We tried feeding kelp, the cattle would not touch it.

[@tomcondon6169]

Ben, When lifting like that, don't bend over, grab on, and lift. Do this: bend over, grab on tight with your hands, but otherwise loose, straighten your back, which will stretch out your arms, get some arch to your back, center of your arch toward your solar plexus and then use your legs to lift your load. Power lifters will strengthen their lower back with crunches, (partial situps), and negatives, (lay face down in a truck bed, hips at the edge, upper body hanging over), have a buddy hold your legs, and do a reverse sit-up, until your body is straight. When you can easily do 3 sets of 8 reps, hold a weight plate to your chest. Go slow.

[@sweetpeashomestead3348]

What are your thoughts on kelp meal for livestock as an added free choice mineral? And can you use Diatomaceous earth as a silica/silicon substitute?

[@waveoflight]

Im not a farmer, but Greg Judy shore makes me want to become one.

[@nuahtransit5858]

Thanks for sharing, that was so informative. Do you using technique of mixing Natural apple cider vinegar with sea salt to add to drinking water?

[@Forester-qs5mf]

It would be useful to know the actual mineral composition in each box, not just the target mineral. For example P is probably Calcium Phosphate, Cu is probably Copper Sulfate (although that would be blue which is different color to that shown in this video). What is the Na (Sodium) and how is that different to the "Salt" assuming both would be sodium chloride ??? so many questions that would be useful for people to know how to source these minerals in forms that are safe to feed to stock.

[@Ra_Z_Q]

You might want to use a slightly larger piece of rubber to over hang the edges. I can see moisture finding its way into your mineral feeder.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Yeah we were thinking the same thing.

[@brandonkrause6401]

Aww man thats too bad about the lamb. I always feel bad when something happens like that. One time I fed a young lamb too much grain before she was accustomed to it and died from grain overload :(.

[@rontiemens2553]

I love that cedar lumber. The color is just exquisite. If I ever find myself in central Missouri, can I come buy some?

[@yoopermann7942]

RON, if your ever in the UPPER PENINSULA of MICHIGAN there is a lot of red cedar here, i am pretty sure if you checked you could still find family saw mills that would put together an order for you

[@rontiemens2553]

yooper mann you all are giving me an excuse to make a road trip to the Midwest, and bring a trailer with me.

[@rontiemens2553]

Is the scientific name of this red cedar “Juniperus virginiana”?

[@yoopermann7942]

@@rontiemens2553 its always a good idea to have a reciver hitch on your truck just in case you go on a trip a find a bargain that way you rent a trailer to hual it home!!

[@yoopermann7942]

@@rontiemens2553 i,m not 100% sure you would have to investagate more into that

[@andreafalconiero9089]

Hi Greg. This is off-topic, but based on some discussions yesterday on your previous video, I was thinking that a good subject for a video (if you're looking for ideas) would be to talk about the _stocking rate_ on your farm, and how it compares to neighbouring farms or the county average in central Missouri. One of the expected outcomes of mob grazing is that it should allow for more efficient use of land (more animal units/acre) than set stocking due to much healthier soils and forage. Here's an excellent video about a large ranch in Texas that has achieved a stocking rate which is *two to three times the county average* by using management-intensive grazing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3O3eoGqich1mKc (Note: I linked to the part of the presentation that talks specifically about this issue, but I encourage everyone to start at the beginning and watch the whole thing if you have time -- it's a very inspirational story!)

[@triciahill216]

Many years ago, I saw a presentation that showed kids being turned loose in a room full of various food groups, (veggies, meats, pastries, etc). The kids were tested (blood, hair, urine analyses) before the test. The kids went right to the foods that provided to nutrients each was deficient in when they were turned loose in the room full of food groups. Are you aware of any similar tests that have been done on livestock? (I wholehearted agree with the concept of free choice supplements, but would find it interesting to know if any formal studies have been performed on livestock.)

[@bc8968]

Tricia Hill If free choice worked for children, then why is there so much obesity,a.d.d.,diabetes,etc.? Would be interested in researching that particular study more. It might even give us insight as to the negative effects of forced and unnecessary inoculations for the children today.

[@NS-pf2zc]

@@bc8968 I am willing to bet that it is because of a bit of social conditioning, and the fact that sugar is more addictive than cocaine. When I cut sugar out of our house...my kids quit wanting it...even when they got it they felt ill and would leave it. Then as teens they got the jobs and money and freedom to buy it, and it snowballed. My youngest (14) finally put 2 and 2 together, and realized when she didnt eat sugar...no zits. And when she had it...all she wanted was more, unless she hadnt had it for a while. Out of the mouths of babes ...

[@bc8968]

Natasha S. Thanks for the response. Our children similarly reacted, and fortunately they are not into soda, candy bars, etc. I am really intrigued with this free choice minerals for the animals. So much that we haven’t discovered about Gods creation, how it’s built to heal itself.

[@russellsmith3825]

@Tricia Hill, Dr Fred Provenza has done some of those experiments

[@bc8968]

russell smith thanks for the contact, an unbelievable person

[@moniquegraham6505]

Hi Greg How wide is each mineral section. Is it wide enough for cattle or just sheep?

[@4philipp]

I like the mineral feeder. But I’m wondering if and how mineral content in the soil can be fixed thru plants. Traditionally humans settled along bodies of water and annual floods would push nutrient rich silt into the shores. That’s where people farmed. The further inland we go, the more that benefit disappears. But there must be a way to mineralize the soil without having to mine it.

[@ks_hunter7327]

Your correct, use of cover crops blends and ending the use of tillage or mechanical disruption of the soil will dramatically improve your soil. However if you have livestock on your property you will need need to provide minerals to keep them healthy. It almost like an over the counter pharmacy the livestock can use to keep themselves healthy and in good condition.

[@ivankorobkov8689]

What do you think about any kind of kelp as source of all the minerals?

[@larrymoore6640]

I wish you would do a video on how cattle know out of all those minerals which ones it needs. I know certain vitamins/minerals don't taste good. Thanks.

[@aquavitae3824]

Tastes change depending on what you need.

[@Forester-qs5mf]

The problem with that style of feeder for sheep is that sheep dont like putting their heads under a rubber cover as they are vulnerable to preditors during that time. Some of them are not going to use the feeder for that reason. Also the lambs are going to use it at a trampoline and pretty soon your rubber lid is going to crack. Ask me how I know.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Been using it for 2 years with the new design and it is holding up very well.

[@erikbudrow1255]

Maybe try some "303" product as a crack preventative on the rubber

[@Monmorrangr]

I recently received my feeder and minerals from FCE but it didn’t come with a data sheet like you are reading from. Did you get that from them or is it something you put together.

[@jasoncowan4357]

my land is pretty steep..i don't think this would work without tipping over.

[@lynsey911]

Did you change the top out? Mine are possibly too heavy for my cows and I’m looking to replace them

[@gkseeton]

Where can I find plans for that feeder?

[@cowpatty402]

How did you get that catalog?

[@markrodrigue9503]

What brand of free voice minerals

[@conradhomestead4518]

A link to company where these can be purchased would be very helpful.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Free Choice Enterprises, Wisconsin is our mineral supplier. You can Google them and get their website.

[@sammerc6014]

Where can you buy those minerals

[@tedbastwock3810]

Comparing him to IAN??!! Ok, I'll have to go hear him talk in some videos.

[@triciahill216]

Is the rubber top the same one that comes with the FCE mineral feeder for cattle? If not, where can a lighter rubber top be bought? Thank you very much.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

It is the same one that comes on all FCE mineral feeders

[@wiki6494]

Anywhere i can download the book they show? someone wanting to share to make a fellow farmer outside the US happy?

[@Spiked2005]

Location of these individual minerals?

[@marciasomerville3529]

Did it work? I have this feeder and my goats don't want to stick their heads under. Before I go to all the work of modification, I'd love to know if it worked or not for smaller ruminents...?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

It worked for our sheep.

[@davej7458]

In the famous words of a Childhood Bear " Rumbly Tummy. " When cows have the choice they avoid the things that upset digestion and eat the things that improve digestion and health. They can't just go to the other side of the hill to get something they are missing. But your job to give them the opportunity to make the choice. More often than not they know better than you.

[@Monmorrangr]

Does anyone have the dimensions of these feeders? I know they are 8 feet long but how wide? What is the size of the individual bunks for the minerals?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

8 feet long by 4 feet wide

[@68Tboy]

Greg, I know your not much of a fan of goats, but do you think this type of setup would work with goats?

[@NS-pf2zc]

I'm betting it would. I just sold my few goats. One started leaping/climbing fences and I said no more after she taught one more. Which is a shame because they do love poison ivy more than the sheep, it seems. It just wasnt worth the trouble when she started jumping. They were my most entertaining livestock though...

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Goats are awesome if you can keep them home. Our goats cleaned out my neighbors deer hunting plots.

[@leen3846]

I have goats in with my sheep and they use it just fine

[@marlan5470]

Looks like a cool LEGO box for the kids. edit: the kids, heheh

[@bhaski9343]

Do the deer use this mineral feeder as well?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

They might, I have not seen them lift the cover though.

[@onlinefarmbooks]

The deer may not be able to get near it with the cows and sheep dogs. I am sure they would, if they could.

[@triciahill216]

Has rain water getting into the minerals been a problem? Thank you.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

No, it has a heavy rubber top that covers the entire mineral box. Cows use their nose to flip it up when they want mineral.

[@triciahill216]

I’m sorry, I was referring to the mineral feeder you and the boys modified for the sheep. Does the modified sheep mineral feeder have any problems with water getting in? Thank you.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

No, none at all.

[@festuscox]

I started these minerals about 10 mths ago. I can't keep my full. I only have 8 cows and a bull and they keep mine empty.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

How often are you moving your cows onto new paddocks?

[@festuscox]

Don't really have e to move them they can't eat down what I have. I was hoping they would get use to the minerals and slow down on them a little.

[@festuscox]

But I can tell a difference in them for the better

[@solarpoweredfarm8813]

Hi Greg, how is your ph range from your cattle year round?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Range is from 7 to 8.5. 7 is perfect, but hard to achieve on forage.

[@solarpoweredfarm8813]

@@gregjudyregenerativerancher thank you Greg. Gives a possible range to aim for.

[@MistressOP]

any pasture rabbits? does anyone free choice them?

[@NS-pf2zc]

I want to do that again. Problem was the hardy wild rabbits brought coccidiosis and my growers just wilted. That and bot flies. Nothing so disgusting as doing "surgery" to remove bot flies. I've got a very strong stomach and I almost dry heaved.

[@russellsmith3825]

About how much does it cost to get started with the free choice minerals?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Depends how many animals you have.

[@leen3846]

I have 100 ewes and they started me out with a package that was around $1000. I have ordered another $175 worth since then. All of that should last me till the end of the year. That also included their feeder.

[@russellsmith3825]

@@gregjudyregenerativerancher my herd is only a half dozen critters at the moment.

[@aethulwulfvonstopphen8013]

Are these minerals organic or synthetic? Why do the animals need this when deer, bison, elk don’t?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Because domestic animals are confined to particular areas. Wild animals have a huge area to select what they need in their diet

[@aethulwulfvonstopphen8013]

@@gregjudyregenerativerancher Ahh, that's a good point. Can organically harvested minerals be bought, or is synthetic all that's available for certain minerals?

[@lovelyflowers8572]

My adult sheep aren't strong enough to open the flap on the minerals. Wish the blanket was more light weight for sheep. Have you all figured out how to deal with that? I love that the boxes are so easy to move with my atv.

[@titan6174]

Where do you get the rubber roof piece? What’s the roof piece called? Thanks!!! Great video!!!

[@JimJepson]

I just went to the website www.freechoiceminerals.com/Mineral-Feeders and they call it a rubber belting cover. Doesn’t help much but it looks like they make the boxes. I bet it would be cheaper to hand make one. Old snow skis or damaged snowboards on the bottom as skids might be good. They can be bought cheap for old ones.

[@titan6174]

Jim Jepson I built this feeder but couldn’t find the roof part. I used a horse floor mat but the mat only lasted a 1.5 years. Thanks for the info!!!

[@JimJepson]

I saw another video last night of someone describing this and they said it was a section of a conveyer belt...

[@gkseeton]

Can a pony use this and not hurt himself?

[@johnzotti3976]

Next time you show up the visual part of each section please go slow with the visual look so you could actually see what you're talkin about without moving the camera much with your phone