Mineral

A properly designed mineral program should do three things for all species, year-round:

1) Hit the target intake every day

Loose minerals are formulated for a specific daily intake. If animals don’t consume minerals consistently, even the best formulation won’t deliver results.

2) Match the season’s real risk

Nutritional demands change with the calendar. Spring forage shifts, summer heat and fly pressure, winter vitamin gaps, and breeding or growth phases all require different mineral support.

3) Stay consistent enough to matter

Minerals are a long-term nutritional tool. Sporadic intake or frequent changes reduce effectiveness and performance.

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT MINERAL

Step 1 — Choose your Program

Step 2 — Add the SEASONAL upgrade when needed

  • Spring (lush grass / cool-season pasture): high-mag mineral start ~30 days before turnout to reduce grass tetany risk.

  • Summer (heat + flies): switch to a HEAT mineral, and if you’re using ClariFly, start it 30 days before flies and keep it going until 30 days after first hard frost.

  • Winter (stored forage): vitamin A/E becomes a real variable—hay vitamin content drops with storage—so winter mineral consistency matters

Program A — “One mineral, done”

VitaFerm ONE as the base year-round

Program B — “Repro-first (highest ROI)”

Concept•Aid

  • 5/S or 8/S or 10 from ~60 days pre-calving through breeding

WHEN TO USE WHAT — YEAR AT A GLANCE (Cattle Example)

RECOMMENDED PLAN

1) Winter (Dec–Feb)
Maintenance + vitamin coverage
VitaFerm ONE

Goal: keep intake steady on stored forages and protect condition heading into late gestation.
Hay vitamin A can be inconsistent, so don’t let mineral fall off in winter.
Best fits: a year-round base mineral OR your repro mineral if calving starts soon.

2) Spring turnout (Mar–May)
Grass tetany risk window
Concept•Aid Mag/S

Goal: prevent low blood magnesium risk on lush, rapidly growing pasture.
Action: start high-mag mineral ~30 days before turnout, run it through the riskiest spring window.

3) Summer (Jun–Sep)
Heat + flies + fescue stress
Concept•Aid or VitaFerm ONE HEAT (+ ClariFly)

Goal: maintain intake during heat, support comfort, reduce fly pressure.
Action: switch to a HEAT mineral when heat indexes climb; add ClariFly mineral if you want manure-breeding fly control.

4) Fall (Oct–Nov)
Weaning + recovery + keep cows bred and in shape
VitaFerm ONE

Goal: smooth weaning stress, keep cows on track for body condition going into winter.
Best fits: base mineral continues; tubs can be used strategically (below).

Optional Upgrade

Reproductive Focus Program
Pre-calving → Breeding ~60 days pre-calving through ~60 days post-breeding
Premium Product - ReproMaxx

Goal: reproductive readiness, colostrum/milk support, breed-back. This is the “don’t miss” mineral window.
Best fits: Concept•Aid®-style reproduction minerals (choose phosphorus level that matches your forage program).

Mineral Purchase Calculator

Estimate loose mineral needs based on herd size, intake target, and time period.

Estimated lbs / month
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Estimated bags / month
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Estimated lbs / year
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Estimated bags / year
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This calculator estimates loose mineral needs based on head count, target intake (oz per head per day), bag size, and the time period selected. Results are planning estimates designed to help you understand how much mineral to order for your herd. Intake targets are based on industry standards, but actual consumption can vary with forage quality, weather, animal size, mineral formulation, feeder placement, and access. Consistent intake matters more than hitting an exact number, and adjustments may be needed to keep cattle consuming within the intended range. This tool is intended for planning and budgeting purposes and does not replace proper mineral management.

Calculator results are estimates only and are provided for planning purposes. Actual mineral intake and product usage may vary based on animal size, forage quality, weather conditions, management practices, and access to mineral. Producers are responsible for monitoring intake and adjusting mineral selection, placement, or quantity as needed. Always follow label directions and use species-appropriate mineral products.

Tubs

HOW TO USE TUBS CORRECTLY (Important Note)

Supplemental tubs are strategic tools, not permanent replacements for loose mineral. They work best when:

  • Used during stress, transition, or forage gaps

  • Intake is monitored

  • Combined with a consistent mineral program

Tubs are best used as targeted tools for specific windows:

  • Weaning / receiving / major feed changes

  • Harsh weather or stress periods

  • Fly season

SUPPLEMENTAL TUB PROGRAM (Cattle Example)

1) Winter (Dec–Feb)

Maintenance + Body Condition Support
Product: Conserve® Protein Tub
or Concept•Aid® Protein Tub if cows are in late gestation

Goal:
Maintain intake on low-quality or weathered forages, support body condition through cold stress, and prevent cows from losing condition heading into late gestation.

Best fits:

  • Conserve® Protein Tub for general winter maintenance

  • Concept•Aid® Protein Tub if cows are within ~60 days of calving

2) Pre-Calving → Breeding

Reproductive Support Window
Standard Option: Concept•Aid® Protein Tub
Premium / Targeted Option: Concept•Aid® Mineral Tub

Goal:
Support reproductive readiness, colostrum quality, early lactation demand, and successful breed-back during the highest nutritional stress window of the year.

Best fits:
Protein tubs help stabilize intake and energy during late gestation and early lactation when forage quality or availability is inconsistent.

3) Spring Turnout (Mar–May)

Transition & Intake Stability Window
Product: Concept•Aid® Protein Tub

Goal:
Support intake consistency during the transition from stored forage to fresh pasture and help cattle adjust without losing condition.

Action:
Use tubs strategically during early turnout, especially if pasture growth is uneven or weather limits grazing.

***Note: Tubs do not replace high-mag loose mineral during grass tetany risk — they are supportive, not preventative, in this window.***

4) Summer (Jun–Sep)

Heat + Fly Pressure + Forage Variability
Product: Concept•Aid® Protein Tub or w/ ClariFly®

Goal:
Maintain intake during heat stress, support cow comfort, and reduce manure-breeding fly pressure.

Action:
If using ClariFly®, begin tubs ~30 days before flies emerge and continue through peak fly season.

5) Fall (Oct–Nov)

Weaning + Recovery + Body Condition Reset
Product: Vita Charge® Stress Tub
Conserve® Protein Tub

Goal:
Reduce stress around weaning, hauling, and management changes while helping cows recover and rebuild condition before winter.

Best fits:

  • Vita Charge® Stress Tub for short-term stress events

  • Transition to Conserve® Protein Tub if additional condition support is needed going into winter

This tool estimates tub usage based on head count, expected intake (lb per head per day), tub size, and the number of days you want to cover. Results are planning estimates—actual intake can vary with weather, forage quality, animal size, and tub placement, so values may run higher or lower in real-world conditions. Intake presets are provided as conservative starting points and can be adjusted at any time. Tubs are designed as strategic supplements, not replacements for a balanced mineral program. Sheep and goats should always use species-appropriate tubs and follow lower intake ranges; cattle intake assumptions should not be applied to small ruminants. If intake is consistently too high or too low, tub selection or placement should be adjusted.

Tub Usage Calculator

Estimate how many tubs you’ll need based on herd size and expected intake. Use the preset selector for a solid starting point.

Lbs consumed / day
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Days one tub lasts
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Tubs needed (window)
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Suggested order (rounded up)
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Note: Actual intake varies with weather, forage, placement, and animal size. Use this as a planning estimate.

Calculator results are estimates only and are provided for planning purposes. Actual intake and product usage may vary based on animal size, forage quality, weather, management, and access. Producers are responsible for monitoring intake and adjusting product selection or placement as needed. Always follow label directions and use species-appropriate products.

Complete Product List

MINERAL

CATTLE

Base / Year-Round Minerals

Reproduction Minerals

Seasonal / Specialty Minerals

Medicated Mineral Options

(Use only according to label and veterinary guidance)

SHEEP

GOAT

TUBS

CATTLE

Protein Tubs

Mineral Tubs

Stress / Transition Tubs

SHEEP

GOAT