My Cow eats dirt.

[haydude]

Is it normal for a steer to eat dirt? Or is he lacking something in his diet?

 

[3dfarms]

Needs minerals and/or salt.

 

[Shady Lane]

Definitely agree with 3D farms.

 

[Till-Hill]

3rd that. Start her back on mineral and salt but start her slow.......

 

[haydude]

3rd that. Start her back on mineral and salt but start her slow.......

Do you mean a mineral block or salt block? He already has a trace mineral block and he does not seem to like it.

 

[CAB]

How much roughage is in his diet?

 

[LN]

What breed is your steer? I'm in the midst of worst drought ever here in Texas and would love a cow that eats dirt....j/k

 

[lightnin4]

3rd that. Start her back on mineral and salt but start her slow.......

Do you mean a mineral block or salt block? He already has a trace mineral block and he does not seem to like it.

Try a loose mineral.  Some minerals are bitter and cattle don't like them.

 

[The Show]

Definitely a mineral deficiency. My calves didn't like blocks very well either, but they reacted quite well to loose mineral in a covered feeder.

 

[3dfarms]

Different areas of the country often have somewhat different requirements in mineral programs.  We feed a high mag mineral free choice in mineral feeders.  Once the cattle get the amount they need they leave it alone.  It is a loose mineral and they seem to do better with it than they do on a block.

We have also mixed it in with our creep feed or range cubes, but I think the cattle get what they need better on their own than forcing it in their diet with it mixed in. 

In your case with the calf eating dirt, I might try mixing in a high mag mineral at one 50 lb bag of mineral per ton of feed and one 50 lb bag of loose salt per ton.  That will get it in his diet.  Not sure how much per day you are feeding him but guessing he is on show ration or close to it he will get those minerals quick.  Best of luck to you whichever route you go.