When pasture starts to dry off and feed becomes scarce, keeping cattle in good condition can be a challenge. Dry conditions reduce the quality of available grass, leaving cattle with less protein and fewer nutrients to support their daily requirements.
Planning ahead and choosing the right supplements can help producers manage their herds through the tougher months. Drylicks and lickblocks containing urea can play a valuable role in supporting cattle when pasture quality declines.
Why Is Drought Feeding Important?
As pasture matures and dries out, its protein content generally decreases. Cattle may struggle to digest low-quality dry grass efficiently, meaning they cannot get as much nutritional value from the feed available to them.
This can affect body condition, weight maintenance, reproduction and overall herd performance. Breeders, lactating cows and growing cattle may be particularly vulnerable when nutritional requirements are not being met.
Providing suitable supplementation early can help cattle make better use of the dry feed available and reduce the risk of condition loss.
How Do Urea Drylicks and Lickblocks Help?
Urea-containing supplements provide a source of non-protein nitrogen that rumen microbes can use to produce microbial protein. These microbes play an important role in breaking down fibrous plant material and helping cattle extract nutrients from mature, low-quality pasture.
When used correctly, urea drylicks and lickblocks can help:
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Improve the use of dry pasture: Support rumen microbes in digesting mature, fibrous grass.
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Supplement protein: Help address low nitrogen levels in dry feed.
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Support body condition: Assist cattle in making better use of available roughage when their overall diet is properly balanced.
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Provide additional nutrients: Depending on the product, supplements can also supply minerals and trace elements that may be lacking in the pasture.
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Make supplementation convenient: Lickblocks provide a practical option for paddock feeding, while drylicks offer another way to supplement cattle according to the needs of your operation.
It is important to remember that urea supplements are not a complete feed. They do not replace adequate roughage, energy or a balanced drought-feeding program.
When Should You Start Supplementing?
Getting started before pasture quality deteriorates too far can make a difference. Introducing a suitable supplement while cattle are still in reasonable condition allows you to establish a feeding routine before conditions become more challenging.
Monitor cattle regularly for changes in body condition, weight, grazing behaviour and general health. Keep an eye on pasture availability and water supplies, and assess whether additional hay, silage or other suitable energy sources are needed.
The right supplementation program will depend on pasture quality, cattle class, production goals and the severity of the dry conditions.
Choosing the Right Lick for Your Cattle
At Kingstons Rural Supplies, we stock Agricon and Dickson Ag livestock supplements to help producers find options suited to their feeding program.
Agricon offers a range of protein and mineral supplements, including products designed for cattle grazing dry pasture. Dickson Ag also provides dry-feed lickblocks and loose mixes with varying urea levels to suit different livestock requirements.
Not every product is suitable for every situation. Choosing the right supplement depends on the quality of your available feed, the cattle being fed and their existing nutritional requirements. Our team can help you explore the available options and select a product suited to your circumstances.
Important Safety Advice When Feeding Urea
Urea can be beneficial when used correctly, but it must be handled with care. Too much urea consumed too quickly can cause serious poisoning and may be fatal.
Always follow the product label and recommended feeding rates. In particular:
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Introduce urea supplements gradually and follow the manufacturer's directions.
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Never feed urea-containing supplements to starving cattle. Hungry stock may consume excessive quantities.
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Ensure adequate roughage is available at all times.
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Provide sufficient access to supplements so cattle can feed as intended.
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Check blocks and loose mixes regularly and monitor cattle intake.
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Do not feed urea-containing products to horses or other equines.
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Seek advice from your veterinarian or livestock nutritionist if you are unsure which supplement is appropriate.
Urea supplements should form part of a planned feeding program, not be used as a substitute for feed when cattle are severely undernourished.
Get Ready for the Dry Season with Kingstons Rural Supplies
Dry conditions can put extra pressure on your cattle and your operation. Choosing suitable supplements, monitoring stock condition and planning ahead can help you manage the challenges of drought feeding.
Visit Kingstons Rural Supplies to explore our range of Agricon and Dickson Ag drylicks and lickblocks. Our team can help you find a suitable option for your cattle and discuss what else may be needed to support your feeding program.
Call in and talk to the team at Kingstons Rural Supplies before the dry gets tougher.