Ingredient

As-fed, %

Per ton, lb

Corn

22

440

Molasses (add last)^a

4

80

Mineral-vitamin premix

1

20

Totals

100

2000

^aMolasses is included to reduce the dust. Alternatively, vegetable oil, which often can be obtained at no cost as used product from restaurants that make french-fries, can be used in place of molasses.

^b19,074 IU vitamin E/lb DM. (The 2007 NRC Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants Committee has suggested much higher levels of vitamin E than previous committees have suggested for sheep. While we believe the recommended increases are higher than necessary, some increase is required, so, for the time being, we are balancing based upon the new suggested levels.)

Table 2. Mineral & vitamin premix specifications (1% of diet)^a. 

Amount

Nutrient or ingredient^b

Diet

Premix

Units

Salt

0.50

50

%

Deccox, 6% premix

0.05

5

%

Mineral oil

0.005

0.5

%

Manganese

25

2500

ppm

Vitamin E

10

1000

IU/lb

Selenium

0.30

30

ppm

Iodine

0.80

80

ppm

Vitamin A

1,200

120,000

IU/lb

Vitamin D

150

15,000

IU/lb

Cobalt

0.2

20

ppm

^aAlternatively, a different vitamin and mineral mix can be used if the concentrations of minerals and vitamins meet the specified dietary concentrations.

^bThe first three items are ingredients that make up 55.5% of the premix. The other items are nutrients to be supplied by ingredients that make up the other 44.5% of the premix and/or a filler like distillers grains.