48 MISC. PUBLICATION 9 0, U. S. DEPT. OP AGRICULTURE 



forage and where some inducement is necessary to get full use of the 

 range. Sometimes stock can be discouraged from grazing on areas 

 infested with poisonous plants by keeping salt away from that 

 locality. It is good practice to have salt on the early ranges at the 

 time the cattle are turned out so they will be more inclined to 

 remain there, and it is poor range management to place salt on 

 the high ranges before cattle should graze there, because it induces 

 the cattle to leave the earlier zones too soon. 



Crystal sack salt, compressed salt, and rock salt are used for 

 cattle. Much of the rock salt used in Utah is mined near 

 Salina. Stockmen differ in opinion as to which of these kinds is 

 best for the cattle and most economical. Crystal sack salt, usually 

 called stock salt or coarse salt, as distinguished from dairy salt or 

 fine salt, can be distributed so that many cattle can lick at one time, 

 while a large block of rock salt may be monopolized by one cow for 

 an hour or more. Care must be exercised, of course, to prevent 



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Figure 25. — Cattle at a salt ground. Stock need salt. It can often be used as an 

 aid in proper distribution of cattle on the range 



cattle exceedingly hungry for salt from having free access to troughs 

 of crystal salt. 



SALT CONTAINERS FOR CATTLE 



Sack salt fed to cattle on the range is generally placed in long 

 troughs, in wooden boxes, on rocks, or on the ground. The practice 

 of using salt logs or salt boxes is rapidly growing and no doubt 

 will be general within a few years. Where logs are available, the 

 log-trough container is the most economical and most satisfactory. 

 A log large enough to bring the top about 30 inches above the 

 ground is best for cattle. The animals will then feed from both 

 sides ; more of them can feed at one time than at a smaller log ; and 

 there will be less crowding and less chance for the salt to become 

 foul. Where logs are not readily available, salt troughs made of 

 lumber are used extensively. Where transportation is not difficult 

 troughs can be made in town or at the ranch when labor is not 

 occupied at other work. 



