Are Sulfur and Salt Blocks Harmful to Cattle?

It is a common practice to set out sulfur and salt blocks for ruminants to supplement their mineral and vitamin requirements. Hence, these blocks are not considered harmful to cattle. However, the actual advantage of using these blocks is a controversial issue, as there are more efficient ways of fulfilling sulfur and salt needs of cattle than blocks. The salt and sulfur supplements can be easily added to the feed instead of providing blocks for cattle.

  1. Nutrient Requirements

    • Although there are about 40 minerals that cattle require for the smooth functioning of their metabolic activities, only seven are rated as extremely essential for the body. These include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur and magnesium. Traces of minerals, such as iron, iodine, copper, manganese, zinc, cobalt, selenium and chromium, are also found beneficial for animal body. Under normal circumstances, these mineral needs are met by feeds and grazing in pastures, but in times of drought, sulfur and salt blocks could fulfill calcium and sodium requirements, as the cattle may not have access to pastures and nutrients and are mostly on dry feed. Calcium and sodium deficiencies are primarily seen in cattle that are fed a cereal grain-based diet.

    Using Blocks and Licks

    • The use of licks may be debatable; nevertheless they are certainly known to provide certain benefits. Some of the advantages of using licks include satisfying the animal's requirement for salt, providing additional minerals and vitamins, supplying proteins and energy to the animal's body and safeguarding the animal against health disorders.

    Salt Requirement

    • Common salt, chemically termed sodium chloride, enhances the intake of water, which, in turn, increases the production of milk in cattle. It also has a positive effect on the general well-being of these animals. On an average, cattle consume 0.388 to 0.529 oz. of salt per day. However, overconsumption of salt should be avoided because it can lead to loss of weight and decrease in milk production. In circumstances of full hand feeding, it is advisable to avoid using and instead just add 0.5 percent fine salt to the feed. However, when cattle are grazing, a salt block can help prevent overconsumption of salt.

      There are salt blocks available with added calcium to ensure that calcium deficiency is averted. This is especially useful for lactating cows and their calves, as their calcium need is high. Generally, calcium and phosphorus deficiencies occur simultaneously, and that is why salt blocks with these added minerals are available.

    Sulfur Requirement

    • Sulfur is required for the formation of amino acids, which are referred to as the building blocks of proteins. Food sources from which cattle can derive sulfur include soybean products, alfalfa hay and cereal grains, such as corn and oats. The general requirement of sulfur is around 0.15 percent in the diet. Deficiency of sulfur in cattle causes problems, such as decrease in appetite and weakness. High levels lead to toxicity, which hampers metabolism of selenium, copper, molybdenum and thiamin, and cause a disease called polioencephalomalacia, which affects the nervous system. Incorporating sulfur supplements in cattle diet improves performance by almost 40 percent, according to New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Australia. Cattle dependent on forage sorghum and Sudan grass crosses tend to suffer from sulfur deficiency and should, therefore, be provided with salt blocks having a minimum of 8 percent sulfur.