Why Covered Feeders Are Essential for Dry Lick Supplements

Managing livestock nutrition effectively is one of the key factors in maintaining herd health, productivity, and profitability. Among the many strategies employed, dry lick feeding is a proven method for supplementing essential nutrients that may be missing from pastures. However, when it comes to feeding sensitive ingredients like urea-based supplements, the choice of feeder can have a significant impact on effectiveness and safety.

Covered feeders, like those offered by Smarter Rural, provide an essential solution for delivering dry lick supplements while protecting feed quality and maximising the benefits for your livestock. Here’s why using covered feeders is so important, especially when working with urea.

1. Protecting Feed from Moisture

Urea-based supplements are highly effective for addressing protein deficiencies in livestock, but they are also highly sensitive to moisture. When exposed to rain, dew, or humidity, urea can dissolve or clump, making it unpalatable and reducing its nutritional value.

Covered feeders provide a shield from the elements, ensuring that dry lick supplements remain dry and accessible to livestock. This protection not only preserves the quality of the feed but also minimizes wastage, making your feeding program more cost-effective.

2. Preventing Overconsumption and Toxicity

Urea can be a powerful supplement when used correctly, but improper consumption can lead to toxicity in livestock. Covered feeders help control access to the supplement by reducing spillage and ensuring animals consume the feed in the intended quantities.

These feeders are designed with features that promote measured intake, allowing livestock to benefit from the nutrients without overindulging. This is especially critical when introducing urea to herds, as a controlled approach helps prevent issues like ammonia toxicity.

3. Reducing Feed Contamination

Open feeders expose supplements to dirt, dust, bird droppings, and other contaminants, which can compromise feed safety and reduce its appeal to livestock. Covered feeders maintain the cleanliness of the feed, ensuring that animals are more likely to consume the supplements they need for optimal health and productivity.

4. Minimising Wastage and Loss

Rain, wind, and even curious animals can lead to significant feed losses when using uncovered feeders. Dry lick ingredients, especially fine powders like those containing urea, are particularly vulnerable to being scattered or washed away.

Covered feeders keep feed securely stored, reducing the likelihood of wastage. With less feed lost to the environment, farmers can achieve better results with fewer resources, making covered feeders a smart investment for long-term profitability.

5. Ensuring Year-Round Feeding Success

Weather conditions can be unpredictable, but the need for consistent livestock nutrition remains constant. Covered feeders allow farmers to maintain their feeding programs year-round, regardless of rain or shine.

By protecting supplements like urea from environmental factors, these feeders provide peace of mind and ensure livestock receive the nutrients they need to thrive, even during challenging seasons.

Choosing the Right Covered Feeder

At Smarter Rural, we specialise in durable, Australian-made covered feeders designed for cattle. Our feeders, such as the Paddock Mate, are built to withstand tough conditions while providing practical solutions for delivering dry lick supplements.

With their sturdy construction and thoughtful design, our feeders help farmers protect feed quality, control intake, and reduce waste – all while supporting livestock health and productivity.

Conclusion

Using covered feeders for dry lick, particularly when feeding urea, is essential for ensuring effective and safe supplementation. By protecting feed from moisture, controlling consumption, and reducing waste, covered feeders help farmers maximise the benefits of their feeding programs.

Invest in covered feeders today to improve your livestock’s health, productivity, and your farm’s bottom line. Explore our range of covered feeders designed to protect dry lick supplements and optimise your livestock feeding programs.