CRYSTALYX® Producer Spotlight

“CRYSTALYX® gets them to use the whole pasture.”

Paul Hanson
Missoula, MT

August, 2001/September, 2001

Paul Hanson has found CRYSTALYX® is a key component to getting the most out of a somewhat steep pasture in Missoula County. He places barrels of CRYSTALYX® HE-12% to entice his first-calf heifers to utilize all of the 300-acre pasture.

“From the water to the far end of the pasture is about three-quarters of a mile, and from the water hole to the top is close to 1,000 feet,” the third generation Montana rancher explains. “It’s a little steep, but has good grass. CRYSTALYX® gets them to use the whole pasture.”

Hanson has been putting the barrels out with the first-calf heifers when he turns them out (about the first of June) for the last four years. He found they’d follow salt around also, but he likes the CRYSTALYX® HE-12% because it provides the minerals and vitamins they need to breed back quickly. Since he began using the product, he’s cut the number of open heifers by 50 to 70 percent.

“CRYSTALYX® helps. There’s no question about it,” Hanson says.

The heifers are taken off CRYSTALYX® when they’re moved to a different pasture after about seven weeks. Hanson also puts BEEF-LYX® out for the calves at weaning and BGF-30™ on the commercial cow herd during winter when he’s feeding hay.

“CRYSTALYX® gives them an extra boost.”