Large variability in individual animal’s intake of lick-block supplements is correlated with individual liveweight and growth rate in cattle

Abstract

Supplementation with molasses and mineral blocks offered as free choice have been less studied than traditional dry loose supplements (Bowman and Sowell 1997) with a major challenge being to measure individual supplement intake and feeding behaviour. Nowadays, this is possible using novel in-paddock technologies such as electronic feeders (EF). This study investigated the correlation between lick block supplement intake and cattle liveweight and growth