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Home / Feeding Guides
Forage quality, water, weather and production goals all affect mineral demand. These feeding guides help you align Taurus Premix minerals and salts with your livestock, season and forage program—then layer in Boss Feeds lick tubs where extra energy or protein is needed.
Start with your forage and water, then layer in season and class of livestock. The tables on this page are designed to help you quickly narrow down which Taurus minerals, salts and Boss Feeds tubs typically fit a given situation, before you dive into specific product tags.
These guides are planning tools only. Always follow the directions on the product tag and consult a nutrition specialist when conditions are complex or changing quickly.
Mineral needs shift as forage, weather and workload change. Use this overview to map out how Taurus minerals and salts typically rotate through the year for beef, dairy, sheep, goats and mixed herds.
| Season | Typical Conditions | Nutrition Focus | Example Taurus Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Stored forages, higher energy demand, cold stress and more time in pens, corrals or yards. | Maintain body condition and immune function while keeping mineral intake consistent on hay, silage or residue. | Free-choice 1:1 or 2:1 bagged minerals such as Taurus Breeding or Calving minerals, paired with Range TM products and appropriate Taurus salts based on forage tests. |
| Spring | Transition from stored feed to lush pasture; calving, lambing and kidding either underway or just completed. | Support reproduction, colostrum and early growth while managing rapid diet changes and loose stools from new grass. | Breeding and calving minerals (Taurus Breeding 1:1 or 2:1, Taurus Calving minerals, Super 7 / Super 12), with copper and selenium matched to your region. |
| Summer | Heat, flies, parasite pressure and variable pasture quality as the season progresses. | Encourage mineral intake during hot weather, maintain trace mineral status and support conception or growth targets. | Weather-resistant pasture minerals and TM salts such as Range #1 Fortified TM, Range #2 TM90/TM120 or sulfur-aware formulas when water tests require it. |
| Fall | Cool nights, changing pasture, crop residue grazing and preparation for winter or next breeding season. | Rebuild or maintain body condition, support rebreeding and balance minerals on mature or lower-quality forage. | Fall conditioning mineral programs built around Super 7 / Super 12, Range TM products and Taurus Sulphur Salt or Garlic 90 Salt where flies or sulfur are concerns. |
Exact product choice—1:1 vs. 2:1, Super 7 vs. Super 12, TM90 vs. TM120, or sulfur-aware formulas— should be based on forage tests, water quality and class of livestock.
Different classes of livestock place different demands on a mineral program. Use this table to connect your production goals with a Taurus approach that normally fits that class.
| Livestock Class | Primary Goal | Nutrition Focus | Typical Taurus Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Cow–Calf Herds | Fertility, calving ease, strong calves and durable cows. | Trace minerals for reproduction and immunity, adequate magnesium where grass tetany is a risk, balanced Ca:P and consistent salt intake. | Taurus Breeding and Calving minerals (1:1 or 2:1) with Range TM salts and sulfur-aware or high-copper options where water and forage tests require it. |
| Beef Backgrounding & Finishing | Frame and muscle growth, feed efficiency and carcass performance. | Mineral and vitamin support for high-energy rations, rumen stability and skeletal development. | Taurus Premix Range #1 & #2 premixes for TMR or grain-based diets, with TM90/TM120 trace mineral salts where cattle also graze or receive dry roughage. |
| Dairy Cattle | Milk yield, components, fertility and hoof health. | Consistent macro and trace minerals with DCAD management and strong vitamin coverage to support metabolic health and reproduction. | Dairy-specific Taurus premixes and bagged minerals built around forage tests, milk production level and stage of lactation. |
| Sheep & Goats | Reproduction, growth and parasite resilience under varied forage systems. | Species-specific mineral levels with careful copper control, plus support for lamb and kid performance. | Taurus TM Selenium for Sheep and sheep/goat-safe mineral and salt programs that respect copper limits while still supporting immunity. |
| Bison & Range-Based Exotics | Low-input performance and adaptability on extensive native range. | Robust trace mineral coverage and weather-resistant delivery that stands up to range conditions and low labour systems. | Taurus Range TM salts and high-durability bagged minerals tailored to native pasture and water tests, with sulfur-aware options where required. |
For mixed-species operations, always select products labelled for the most sensitive species in the group—for example, sheep when copper levels are a concern.
Water, forage and management factors can create extra mineral demand. When any of the following apply, Taurus often recommends more specific products or adjustments.
| Condition | Risk | Nutrition Response | Example Taurus Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Sulfur Water or Forage | Reduced copper availability, potential performance loss and health issues when severe. | Increase emphasis on bioavailable copper and adjust total mineral package to account for sulfur antagonism. | Sulfur-aware minerals and Trace Mineral salts based on water and forage tests, often paired with Taurus Sulphur Salt where appropriate. |
| Drought / Low-Quality Forage | Lower intake and energy, poor body condition, weaker immune response and slower gains. | Provide higher mineral density per unit of intake and support rumen function to use tough forage effectively. | High-density bagged minerals (Super 12, Super 7, Range TM) with targeted tubs or premixes in supplemented rations. |
| Weaning, Receiving or Transport Stress | Reduced intake, higher disease risk and slower performance in young or newly received stock. | Emphasize trace minerals and vitamins that support immunity and encourage early, consistent intake. | Stress-oriented mineral programs using Super 7 / Super 12 and TM90/TM120, with palatable salt options and, when needed, Boss Feeds stress tubs. |
| Heavy Fly or Parasite Pressure | Irritation, reduced gains and potential spread of disease during peak fly season. | Help support immune function and intake, and integrate fly or parasite controls as part of a full herd plan. | Taurus Garlic 90 Salt or other labelled fly-support products alongside the core Taurus mineral program suggested by forage tests. |
When multiple stressors overlap—for example drought plus high sulfur water—work directly with a Taurus nutrition specialist to select and fine-tune the correct products.
Once you know your forage, season and class of livestock, the next step is choosing the Taurus mineral or salt that fits best. Review product tags, compare them to your conditions and connect with our nutrition specialist for a fully customized program.
Boss Feeds lick tubs are designed to complement your forage and Taurus mineral program—not replace it—by providing targeted energy, protein and stress support. Use this guide to see where each tub typically fits in a year-round program.
| Recommended | Forage Type / Program | Use Timing & Purpose | Typical Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boss Feeds 14.5% Cattle Tub | Moderate-quality hay or pasture for cows, replacements or stockers. | Base maintenance tub for general condition and steady energy support. | Jan–Dec as a year-round option where needed. |
| Boss Feeds 20% Cattle Tub | Lower-energy forage, thin cows or growing cattle needing extra protein. | Step up from the 14.5% tub when cows or youngstock need more support on tough forage or in cold weather. | Commonly Nov–Mar; can be used whenever condition is slipping. |
| Boss Feeds 14% Calving Breeding Tub | Typical cow-calf forages pre-calving and through breeding. | Support energy and protein demand around calving and early lactation while cows are expected to rebreed. | Often Feb–Jun depending on your calving window. |
| Boss Feeds 18% Calving Breeding Tub | Thinner cows, higher-risk groups or situations where cows must work harder through breeding. | Higher-protein option when condition is marginal or forage is weaker going into breeding. | Commonly Jan–Jun, then taper as pasture and condition improve. |
| Boss Feeds 13% Stress Tub | Weaning, receiving, hospital pens and other stress points. | Provide palatable support to encourage intake and help cattle through short-term stress periods. | As needed year-round around weaning, shipping and processing. |
| Boss Feeds 20% Stress Tub | Severe weather, long hauls, hard pulls or cattle that are pulled down from previous stress. | Higher-protein, high-stress tub for extreme conditions where cattle need extra help recovering. | Often Dec–Mar or during prolonged cold, wet or windy periods. |
| Boss Feeds 25% Cattle Tub | Very low-quality forage, crop residues or drought-stressed pasture. | Maximum protein support to stretch poor forage and help maintain condition when grass is in short supply. | Typically Nov–Apr while on stover, native range in poor shape or drought forage. |
| Boss Feeds Omega Plus Tub | Breeding programs needing extra reproductive and immune support. | Use before and through breeding to support conception rates and help cattle handle stress. | Often Feb–May as part of a breeding program. |
| Boss Feeds HC Tub (Corn Stover) | Cattle wintering on corn stover or similar low-quality crop residues. | Provide additional energy and protein where cattle are grazing residue with limited supplement. | Typically Nov–Mar while cattle are on stover. |
| Boss Feeds Mineral Lick Tub | Operations preferring a tub format for daily mineral supplementation. | Free-choice mineral tub that complements your Taurus mineral and salt program when a tub delivery is preferred. | Jan–Dec as a year-round mineral tub. |
Boss Feeds lick tubs are designed to complement, not replace, a balanced Taurus mineral program and adequate forage. Always follow label directions for recommended consumption rates.
Species-specific tubs are formulated with the right mineral levels for sheep and horses while still supporting condition and performance.
| Recommended Tub | Forage Type / Program | Use Timing & Purpose | Typical Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boss Feeds 13% Sheep Tub | Sheep on pasture or hay where extra protein and vitamins are beneficial. | Year-round tub to support general condition, flock performance and recovery from stress while respecting sheep mineral limits. | Jan–Dec as needed. |
| Boss Feeds Equine Tub | Horses on pasture or hay with changing workload, travel or weather. | Holistic support for horses under stress, variable forage or high demand, used alongside good quality hay and fresh water. | Jan–Dec depending on workload and forage quality. |
Always introduce new tubs gradually and make sure free-choice salt, fresh water and adequate forage are available at all times.
Talk to our nutrition team about Boss Feeds mineral tubs and feeding solutions built for your operation. From mineral tubs to complete feeds, every program is made for real ranching—tested in the field and trusted in the barn.
Trusted by ranchers across Western Canada—based in Cardston, Alberta and built on years of nutrition knowledge. Interested in our mineral programs or custom nutrition options? Contact our team for expert advice, product suggestions, and personalized nutrition plans to improve your operation.