Committed to improving the productivity of livestock farmers

As the seasons of the year change, so does the veld. This means that what is lacking in veld in winter is different from what is lacking in summer.

Supplements help to provide animals with only what is lacking. This is why it is important for farmers to know what is lacking in that particular season so that they can give their animals the right supplements at the right time.

Supplements are not a complete feed; grass (veld or bales) must always be available when feeding supplements!

For over 55 years, Voermol has been enabling producers to strategically manage and feed their livestock in order to improve the production and profit of their enterprises.

Voermol produces a complete range of quality molasses-based products that are scientifically balanced to meet the nutritional requirements of ruminants during various production stages and on all types of grazing.

Autumn

During autumn in summer rainfall regions, rainfall begins to decline. The grass starts to change from green to a light straw colour. Protein is also declining.

Cattle are thus moving from a season where phosphorus was lacking, to a season when protein will be lacking. During this phase, farmers should provide their animals with a transitional lick. This lick provides animals with protein and phosphorus.

Farmers can make their own transitional lick by mixing the following Voermol products:

• Two bags of Super 18;
• One bag of salt;
• One bag of 12P.

Alternatively, farmers can make a transitional lick by mixing the following Voermol products:

• Two bags of Premix 450;
• One bag of salt;
• One bag of 12P.

Ready-mixed Superfos can also be given to animals as a transitional lick (see Table 1).

Winter

In winter, grass is dry, tasteless and has insufficient protein. It also takes longer to digest, resulting in cattle and sheep not grazing sufficiently.

They may lose extreme weight and body condition, and may even die of hunger. Winter is also usually the time during which pregnant animals are in their third trimester.

The pregnant animal thus needs proper nutrition for herself and her unborn offspring, and also needs to be prepared for milk production in the next lactation.

Table 2 provides a list of protein supplements that will prevent weight loss during winter.

Voermol’s Maxi Block for sheep and goats will help these animals produce high-quality fibre, such as wool, mohair and cashmere. Maxi Block also helps ewes produce sufficient colostrum and milk, thereby preventing lamb mortalities. Maxi Block should also be used (see Table 3):

• Three weeks before mating;
• Six weeks before lambing;
• After lambing.