03/21/2026
At Grazing Solutions, we’re constantly learning from the animals and the land. That’s one of the things we love most about working in the livestock industry. Every season teaches you something new if you’re willing to observe and adjust.
From August through December our sheep & goats were on loose kelp as their primary mineral supplement. When winter arrived, we switched to mineral blocks because the kelp doesn’t handle moisture well once the rains set in. It felt like the practical choice for the season.
Today we switched them back to loose mineral.
The response was immediate. A full-on feeding frenzy. Every animal moved straight to the mineral feeder and you could see they were actively seeking it out here in the video.
Moments like that remind us why mineral management matters so much.
Loose minerals allow livestock to regulate their intake based on what their bodies need. With blocks, animals are limited to what they can scrape off the surface, which often means they never consume enough to meet their actual nutritional demands. Loose minerals are easier to access, easier to digest, and generally more bioavailable.
When animals are properly mineralized, you see the difference across the whole system. Stronger immune function. Better reproduction. Healthier hooves. Improved wool and fiber development. More resilient animals that can perform the work we ask them to do on the landscape.
Blocks are convenient. They last longer. They’re often cheaper up front.
But in our operation, we’re choosing to prioritize animal health over convenience and health over cost.
The animals made their preference very clear today.
And that kind of feedback from the animals is something we pay attention to.
We won’t be going back to blocks again.
