CRYSTALYX® Testimonials

Crystal-Phos™

Profile

CRYSTALYX® CRYSTAL-PHOS™ is a unique, nutrient-dense, palatable, free-choice mineral supplement designed to complement the mineral composition of grass or legume forages.

Features/Benefits

• Vitamins and Minerals
  Vitamin and mineral supplementation impacts forage digestion by rumen microorganisms, as well as metabolism and productivity of the animal.
  High phosphorus content Balanced trace mineral levels Contains chelated/organic trace minerals Vitamins A, D and E
• Trace Mineral Fortification
  CRYSTAL-PHOS™ is highly fortified with trace minerals that are key components of nutrient-based metabolism systems, disease resistance and reproduction. Four ounces of CRYSTAL-PHOS™ provides 100% of the 1996 Beef NRC trace mineral requirements for a mature animal.
• Research
  Research shows that chelated/organic forms of trace minerals have increased bioavailability. Research also shows that the CRYSTALYX® batch cooking process increases mineral bioavailability.

Butch Shadbolt, owner of Shadbolt Cattle Company, Merriman, NE, operates several ranches located in the Sandhills region of Cherry County, Nebraska.

Butch agreed to conduct an evaluation of the new CRYSTAL-PHOS™ mineral supplement on one of his ranches during the summer of 1998. The trial included 183 first-calf heifers with calves, 5 heifers without calves and 7 mature bulls for 60 days during the breeding season. The heifers were primarily Angus or Angus cross and they were bred to Wagu bulls.

One of the objectives of this evaluation was to measure consumption of the CRYSTAL-PHOS™ mineral supplement. To do this, the number of head days was determined:

183 pairs @ 1.25 = 228.75 X 127 days = 29,051.25 head days
5 open heifers x 127 days = 635 head days
7 bulls x 60 days = 420 head days
Total heads days = 30,106.25 head days

Three tons or 24,250 lb. half-barrels of CRYSTAL-PHOS™ mineral supplement were consumed during the 127 day trial period. The herd consumed approximately three ounces per-head, per-day of the free-choice mineral supplement.

(6000 lb. / 30,106.25 head days = .199 lb. or 3.2 ounces per-head, per-day.)

Consumption of the CRYSTAL-PHOS™ mineral supplement was slightly less than seen in other demonstrations. Four ounces per-head, per-day is the projected average daily consumption, but it may vary between 2 ounces and 8 ounces per-head, per-day.

Overall, consumption appeared to be very consistent throughout the demonstration and was similar to past consumption of loose mineral by first calf heifers on this ranch. Ranch personnel were pleased with the product performance and commented on the ease of feeding CRYSTAL-PHOS™ mineral supplement from the 250 pound returnable, steel half-barrel.

Breeding performance data was collected in the fall and indicated that heifers in the CRYSTAL-PHOS™ demonstration had a 97% conception rate. A similar group of heifers on a nearby ranch were fed a dry mineral through the summer period. Conception rate on this group was 92%.

Shadbolt was pleased with the results from the study conducted on his ranch.

"Consumption was not real high, but they ate it all summer and the heifers did well and rebred," he said. "We did have another set of heifers that we had on a dry mineral program. They did not breed back as well as the heifers on the mineral supplement in the lick tub. I had 180 to 190 heifers on dry mineral and their conception was lower. The calf weaning weight was lighter, too," Shadbolt explained.

The new CRYSTAL-PHOS™ mineral supplement is now available through authorized CRYSTALYX^® dealers.