Why you need a professionally balanced sulphur supplement
Feeding straight sulphur or adding it to a feed ration yourself comes with an element of risk. Excessive consumption can cause Polioencephalomalacia (PEM). Symptoms include blindness, brain irritation and even death. MegaMin SulPhos has been formulated to provide the additional sulphur needed along with phosphorus, magnesium and broad spectrum minerals that are essential for stock health.
Return on Investment
The benefits of using stock supplements are significant and proven. Year-round provision of MegaMin mineral supplements helps reduce the risk of mineral deficiencies that can restrict animal performance, even during good seasons or lush pasture growth. For as little as 5c/head/week for sheep and 50c-$1/head/week for cattle. The investment to include MegaMin SulPhos in your feeding program can return dividends through potentially improving fertility and increasing weight gains.
Why broad spectrum Minerals are essential
Macro minerals and trace minerals are needed year round by livestock for optimum production, health and fertility. Read more>
Why Sulphur is important?
- Sulphur assists in the detoxification of prussic acid found in forage sorghum. In addition, forage sorghum also lacks Sulphur and salt.
- Sulphur stimulates bacteria and fungi to assist the breakdown of fibre in the rumen.
- Sulphur is essential for rumen health and the formation of amino acids – the building blocks of protein. Sulphur deficiency can reduce rumen microbe activity and lead to poor growth.
- Sulphur is a key nutrient for wool growth.
- Sulphur can assist with parasite control. Trials (Villar, 2006) have shown a substantial increase in the level of natural resistance to ticks for cattle fed additional sulphur.
Why Phosphorus is important?
It is well known that phosphorus deficiency can result in poor growth rates and lower fertility, and that supplementation is critical in areas where the soil is low in phosphorus. Importantly, phosphorus can also be a major limiting nutrient when there is plenty of lush green feed during Spring or a wet season. Read more>
Why Magnesium is important?
Magnesium is absorbed in the rumen and is the second most limiting mineral for stock grazing lush green pastures and winter forage. Lush green fodder passes too quickly through the rumen to allow adequate absorption of magnesium, which can lead to ‘Grass Tetany’. Plant uptake of magnesium may also be reduced in the cooler months, increasing the need for supplementation. Magnesium stored in the body is not rapidly available so animals are reliant on daily intake, particularly during ‘high risk’ periods. Read more>
Why supplementing with MegaMin Extra Sulphur assists stock grazing forage sorghum
Prussic acid contained in forage sorghum can actually limit fodder intake, resulting in lower weight gains for cattle grazing forage and other sorghum varieties. While forage sorghum is being digested in the rumen, prussic acid or hydrogen cyanide may be released. This can be fatal, however, more commonly it may be sub-clinically present at low levels, which can greatly reduce weight gains.
Sulphur has an important role in detoxifying prussic acid and helps reduces the risk of cyanide poisoning. With adequate sulphur intake, stock are able to graze more stalk and stem resulting in better utilisation of the plant and subsequent regrowth. Trials have shown that providing additional sulphur can increase daily weight gains by as much as 300-500 grams per day. Read more>
