Trial Results

Suppliments prove their worth... and more

The use of either loose lick or block mineral supplements in livestock enterprises has long been debated. Statements regarding their use cover the full spectrum ranging from being essential in reducing deficiencies and assisting production to having no noticable impact at all.

Recent independent trials conducted at the Temora Agricultural Innovation Centre have demonstrated the positive benefit of Fabstock supplements on lamb growth rates finished on high quality lucerne pasture.  The weights of lambs ranged from light stores (28kg) through to trade lambs (50kg) and were finished for 6 weeks.  Lambs provided with ad lib Fabstock Feedlot mix achieved growth rates up to 100gms/day higher than those not on aupplement.  The increase in growth rates was achieved across all weight categories with lambs reaching growth rates around 500gms/day at stages during the trial.

Treatments were swapped toward the end of the trial and the response of Fabstock was immediate with the lambs that were previously not receiving supplement increasing growth rates and those taken off Fabstock dropping to lower levels.  This indicates that mineral supplimentation of lambs needs to be maintained throughout the finishing timeframe.

The average advantage of the supplemented lambs at sale was $9 per lamb and with the cost of Fabstock for the 6 weeks averaging $1.50/head, this represents a return of 600% on the expense of Fabstock.

Definitely worth its weight and more, even on high quality pasture.

View Trial Reports:

• Effect of Loose Lick Supplement on the Growth Rate of Lambs Grazing on Lucerne
• Influence of Loose Lick Supplement on the Growth Rate of Lambs Grazing Stubbles