[Jacob-list] Mineral blocks

[J Thomas]

Thanks! I will definitely check my labels before
purchasing the product and bring my "black and white"
label with me to be sure that I have the correct one.

Perhaps they make a similar block with copper used for
other livestock?

I appreciate your bringing this to my attention. I
don't want to feed copper either! This may be the
reason why I'm having a problem getting them in at my
local Tractor Supply.  I've been waiting about a
month!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving all!

Joy (who will be eating turkey not lamb!)

--- Cathy Robinson <perfectspot at blueridge.net> 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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=====
Joy Thomas, Son-Rise Farm
Home of Jacob Sheep
http://home.infospace.com/sonspots1

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