[Jacob-list] Mineral blocks

[Linda]

Thanks for all the information on mineral blocks.  I wonder if anyone could tell me 
the manufacturer of the blocks.  We don't have TractorSupply in this part of Georgia 
and I didn't see the blocks on their website.  
Linda

On Wed, 21 Nov 2001 08:15:10 -0500, Cathy Robinson wrote:
>>It is a mineral/protein block made specifically for
>>sheep and goats.  I get them at Tractor Supply
>>Company. They are 125 pounds and run about $27.
>
>I recently had an experience with the above mentioned blocks that
>caused
>me to swiftly return them.  After a friend several hours east of me
>in NC
>had sent me the product label (she had been using the product) and I
>had
>ascertained that there was no copper in them, I sent my husband off
>to
>the feed store to pick up two of the 125# tubs. He returned three
>hours
>later with them, and while they were still in the back of his truck I
>noted that the label was a "color" label and not the "black and
>white"
>label that I had been sent.  I went and got my glasses and began
>perusing
>the label, and it was identical in EVERY way, including product code,
>except that the color label had copper clearly listed in the
>ingredient
>list.  The black and white label that had been sent to me, had
>"blanks/open spaces" in those spaces, as though someone had used
>white-out at some point to create a new label.
>
>The difference in the appearance of the label was of concern, as was
>the
>disappearance of an ingredient on one that I do not wish to feed my
>sheep!  I called the store and talked with the manager...he did some
>research and got back to me on the following Monday. I didn't wait
>for
>all the answers, so  needless to say, husband climbed back in his
>truck
>to return blocks to the store, and after another 3 hour trip, he
>didn't
>get much done that day that was on his agenda.
>
>I first asked the store manager if all the blocks in his store had a
>color label that showed copper in the ingredients....seems to me they
>were a bright yellow and some other primary color....and he said
>"yes".    I then went into comparisons of data and product
>code....and
>asked why two versions of a label seemed to be floating around the
>Tractor Supply network in NC and which one was correct.  He
>contacted his
>supplier, who in turn contacted the manufacturer.....bottom line was
>that
>the "color" label was correct and there was copper in the blocks. He
>said
>TS did not sell a sheep/goat block that did not contain copper, and
>that
>they only sold one for sheep and goats.  He could not explain why
>there
>seemed to be two forms of the same label in the system but he
>certainly
>thought it was strange.  He went on to say that TS would not sell
>this
>product once supplies were exhausted....since it had been a poor
>seller.
>My guess is the only place it was perhaps a good seller was in the
>area
>that had the label that showed no added copper!  My recollection is
>that
>the label on the blocks we brought home and returned showed copper at
>around 40ppm----not something I would want to have available free
>choice.
>
>If you do buy this product from Tractor Supply, check your label.
>If it
>sports a color label, copper will be clearly listed.  If the label is
>black and white, look carefully at the empty spaces that look like
>info
>is missing and then ask questions.
>
>Cathy
>Perfect Spot Farm
>
>
>
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