dbltree
Super Moderator
I switched to just Trace Mineral salt which is still $7 a bag. I'm thiking di-cal went up to nearly $30 a bag!! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif
I think some things will start to decline this spring as lower fuel prices and a depressed economy reverse high prices. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
You can find out more in this link: Mineral Licks
I think some things will start to decline this spring as lower fuel prices and a depressed economy reverse high prices. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
You can find out more in this link: Mineral Licks
risto2351
Well-Known Member
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dbltree</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I switched to just Trace Mineral salt which is still $7 a bag. I'm thiking di-cal went up to nearly $30 a bag!! /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif
I think some things will start to decline this spring as lower fuel prices and a depressed economy reverse high prices. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
You can find out more in this link: Mineral Licks </div></div>
What was the Di-Cal in the mix for originally anyway?
If their was an important reason I might need to save some more money. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif
I think some things will start to decline this spring as lower fuel prices and a depressed economy reverse high prices. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
You can find out more in this link: Mineral Licks </div></div>
What was the Di-Cal in the mix for originally anyway?
If their was an important reason I might need to save some more money. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/crazy.gif
Check the ingredients in a LAND OF LAKES product called Phos-8. It's AWESOME for deer, top notch. No medication of course. At it's PEAK it was $17-18. They LOVE IT too!!!!!!! This is for a 50 LBS bag. I put it out in late February/early March. Compare the top-notch ingredients and low cost to the "Hunter Mixes" that often are mainly salt and way way way way over-priced!!!!
Iowabowtech
Active Member
Di-Cal is a digestion aid for grazing ruminants and supposedly has some benefits as a lactation aid. Last time I priced a bag it was over $40!!! I went to straight mineral salt also. Practical no brainer until the price gets back down. If I remember right it was like $11-12 a bag a couple years back.
dbltree
Super Moderator
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: IA ML'r</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The salt is there to get them to eat the di-cal.
Calcium and Phosphorus = bone (antler) and milk. </div></div>
Those elements are important and if one can afford it, there's not a thing wrong with offering it however...
The thing everyone forgets is that those elements are also in all of the forage they eat, so free roaming deer (unlike livestock) already have access to most of the mineral they need.
They do not have access to salt which is why they vigorously seek it out.
I learned a lot about all of this as a dairyman thru forage testing... /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
Calcium and Phosphorus = bone (antler) and milk. </div></div>
Those elements are important and if one can afford it, there's not a thing wrong with offering it however...
The thing everyone forgets is that those elements are also in all of the forage they eat, so free roaming deer (unlike livestock) already have access to most of the mineral they need.
They do not have access to salt which is why they vigorously seek it out.
I learned a lot about all of this as a dairyman thru forage testing... /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> already have access to most of the mineral they need.</div></div>
Right, the key word being "most"
Deer don't need very much salt and can obviously get along just fine with out mineral sites so IMO if you're going to do mineral you might as well do it to help the deer maximize it's potential.
a mineral site with out calcium and phosphorus is (to borrow a phrase) preposterous.
for what we all spend on deer hunting a bag of dical isn't going to break a budget.
a bag of Dical and a couple bags of trace mineral salt is 150 lbs, that's about 2 sites refreshed twice a year.
Right, the key word being "most"
Deer don't need very much salt and can obviously get along just fine with out mineral sites so IMO if you're going to do mineral you might as well do it to help the deer maximize it's potential.
a mineral site with out calcium and phosphorus is (to borrow a phrase) preposterous.
for what we all spend on deer hunting a bag of dical isn't going to break a budget.
a bag of Dical and a couple bags of trace mineral salt is 150 lbs, that's about 2 sites refreshed twice a year.
You also have to remember- there's many different soils in Iowa. Some soils are TOP NOTCH while others are barely good enough to use for pasture. Some farmland the farmers are aggressively fertilizing it and others are not.
Another thing to remember- farmers give cows these minerals in Iowa even if they are grazing on top notch ground. It additionally helps them in many ways from increased reproductive rates, better milking, better disease resistance, etc. It makes a difference!
From my observation- I've put out minerals for about 6-7 years. I believe the racks are growing more MASSIVE and increased size. I know it's causing more TRIPLETS (minerals WILL increase reproduction rates) which some DO NOT WANT- side effect. I notice far less parasites on deer (not sure if that's coincidence or not? Probably MORE the hard winters. I notice younger deer growing better racks. Body weight seems better- might be more food plots there. BASICALLY, some of what I see is probably coincidence, some is food plots BUT I believe the mineral makes a difference and IS supplementing things they do not get OR things they do no get enough of. I believe it WILL make a difference in racks as well. (I put a ingredient list on my website too if you want to look). Look at any "deer breeding farms" that grow trophy whitetails, they use minerals (as well as protein and top genetics (genetics is the big one!!!))
Lastly, you have to remember that deer are starting to grow (or the mineral process is starting) new antlers VERY EARLY. March is the time to put out minerals (or late Feb). Think of all the plants that are not up as well at that time to supply the minerals. The guy who is throwing out his 1st bag in july or august is pretty much completely wasting his money (for the MOST PART) unless it stays around long enough for them to eat it next year.
Another thing to remember- farmers give cows these minerals in Iowa even if they are grazing on top notch ground. It additionally helps them in many ways from increased reproductive rates, better milking, better disease resistance, etc. It makes a difference!
From my observation- I've put out minerals for about 6-7 years. I believe the racks are growing more MASSIVE and increased size. I know it's causing more TRIPLETS (minerals WILL increase reproduction rates) which some DO NOT WANT- side effect. I notice far less parasites on deer (not sure if that's coincidence or not? Probably MORE the hard winters. I notice younger deer growing better racks. Body weight seems better- might be more food plots there. BASICALLY, some of what I see is probably coincidence, some is food plots BUT I believe the mineral makes a difference and IS supplementing things they do not get OR things they do no get enough of. I believe it WILL make a difference in racks as well. (I put a ingredient list on my website too if you want to look). Look at any "deer breeding farms" that grow trophy whitetails, they use minerals (as well as protein and top genetics (genetics is the big one!!!))
Lastly, you have to remember that deer are starting to grow (or the mineral process is starting) new antlers VERY EARLY. March is the time to put out minerals (or late Feb). Think of all the plants that are not up as well at that time to supply the minerals. The guy who is throwing out his 1st bag in july or august is pretty much completely wasting his money (for the MOST PART) unless it stays around long enough for them to eat it next year.
150 Class
Well-Known Member
All I know is that the deer love salt for a few months in the spring and summer and I suppose it doesn't hurt to add minerals. Bigger racks would be cool but the main thing I am after when mixing the ingredients in some dirt is a place to put a trail camera for inventory purposes and salt does the trick (minerals added or not). The cheapest salt I can find usually is my main ingredient.
Price? I haven't noticed seasonal price changes but I don't shop for this stuff but once every couple of years.
Price? I haven't noticed seasonal price changes but I don't shop for this stuff but once every couple of years.