Protein Tubs
Time and labor: two precious resources that every cattle producer wishes they had more of. The two go together not just in production agriculture but in life. There’s always more to get done, but not enough time to do it. On a ranch, in particular, it’s an age-old struggle.
What if we told you there is a way to supplement your herd with the added nutrition and protein they need that could save time and labor? And those are just a few advantages a protein tub offers.
Protein tubs for cattle offer convenient nutrition as well as the complete sources of nutrition that your cow herd needs. How do we know that? We here on the VitaFerm® Team are cattle producers just like you. We understand the importance of quality nutrition and know that time is a precious commodity. That’s why we wanted to share this information about the convenient nutrition that protein tubs offer.
4 Benefits of Protein Tubs for Cattle
Protein tubs for cattle offer several benefits, particularly in situations where traditional feeding methods might not be practical or efficient. Here are some of the key benefits:
1. Convenience & Labor Savings
Low Maintenance
Protein tubs require less labor than daily feeding. You can save time and reduce labor costs by not needing to mix, prepare, or deliver the protein. The primary advantage of feeding protein supplements for cattle in tubs is convenience.
Producers have a self-contained product that is easy to distribute. Our 200-pound tubs are relatively easy to scatter across large pastures, and their bright orange color makes them highly visible to the producer.
Weather Resistant
Most protein tubs are weather-resistant, meaning they can be left out in the pasture without concern for spoilage, even in harsh weather conditions.
2. Consistent Protein Intake
Self-Regulation
Protein tubs allow cattle to self-regulate their intake, ensuring cattle receive consistent amounts of protein without the need for daily feedings.
Other companies use a chemically hardened method, adding corn syrup and other ingredients to bind the minerals together. VitaFerm tubs include a cooked-tub technology that relies on molasses, which helps regulate your herd’s intake.
“The advantage of cooked molasses in the VitaFerm tubs is that the only way to soften the tub is by putting moisture in the air, giving it a unique way to soften and control intake. The cows can lick all day on the tub, but until it softens, they won’t get more of it. If managed correctly, with the right number of cows, our tubs control intake practically by themselves,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Director of Beef Technical Sales.
Continuous Availability
Protein tubs are available 24/7, allowing cattle to consume protein as needed. This is especially beneficial during times when forage quality is low.
3. Improved Forage Utilization
Enhanced Digestibility
Protein tubs often contain ingredients that improve rumen function, increasing the digestibility of low-quality forages. This helps cattle make better use of available forage, leading to better overall nutrition.
VitaFerm protein tubs are powered by AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research proven to enhance digestibility. Therefore, in addition to the protein and other nutrients, Amaferm helps increase the digestibility of your animals, which leads to our next point…
Encourages Grazing
Our protein tubs for cattle provide supplemental protein and Amaferm, encouraging more extensive grazing, even on poor-quality pastures, thereby improving overall forage intake.
4. Supports Health & Productivity
Boosts Immune Function
Adequate protein is essential for maintaining a strong immune system, which helps prevent disease, especially during stressful periods like calving or weaning.
Enhances Reproductive Performance
Protein supplementation supports better reproductive health, leading to improved conception rates and healthier calves.
Supports Weight Gain
Especially during winter or drought conditions when forage is less available, protein tubs help maintain or even increase cattle weight gain by providing essential nutrients.
Flexibility in Supplementation
Protein tubs are versatile and usable in various situations. You can get the most out of tubs during dry seasons, in areas with poor pasture quality, or when cattle are on a maintenance diet with minimal supplemental feed.
VitaFerm Offers Protein Tubs for Cattle
At VitaFerm, we know that producers want options. That’s why, in addition to the loose mineral that you can feed free-choice or mix in with your TMR, we also offer three protein tub options. All tubs contain Amaferm, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility.
VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® Protein Tub
VitaFerm Concept•Aid Protein Tub is a premium protein tub with vitamins and minerals for beef cattle on grass pasture. It supports reproductive success in cattle on low protein forage.
- Includes 20% natural protein along with organic copper, iodine, and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity, and hoof health.
- High levels of Vitamin E support reproductive tract repair and milk quality.
VitaFerm® 30-13% Protein Tub
For producers seeking an affordable solution, there’s VitaFerm 30-13% Protein Tub. Our 30-13% Tub supports beef cattle with urea and natural protein designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost.
- Includes 30% urea protein with no more than 13% equivalent crude protein from non-protein nitrogen.
- Features a complete, but economical vitamin and mineral package.
VitaFerm Conserve® Protein Tub
We offer VitaFerm Conserve Protein Tub, a natural protein tub for beef cattle designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost.
- Includes 20% natural protein.
- Features a complete, but economical vitamin and mineral package.
“Providing cattle with a proper supplement that contains adequate minerals is important, as it serves as an insurance policy for seasonal fluctuations in forage quality and can keep cattle from becoming deficient or imbalanced in energy, protein or mineral status,” Cassady said.
BioZyme Products are Research Proven
Amaferm® is the key additive in all VitaFerm products. It has over 111 published and/or presented research studies proving its increase in digestibility and, ultimately, its impact on the animal’s health and performance.
“Research proves that cattle fed Amaferm synthesize 100 more grams of microbial protein each day. That’s enough protein equivalent to a pound of supplemented soybean meal available for the cow or heifer. This additional protein generated from Amaferm in a year-round supplemental program can help producers reduce their need for additional protein by up to 30% annually, a huge continuous savings on feed costs,” Cassady said.
Get Your VitaFerm Protein Tubs Today
Providing adequate protein supplements for cattle is paramount to your herd’s success in all phases of production. At BioZyme, we give you options within the VitaFerm brand. Not sure what to feed cows when it comes to VitaFerm? Check out our Concept•Aid Product Navigator.
Get your VitaFerm products from an authorized BioZyme dealer today. Our extensive dealer network is here to help you meet mineral needs.
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