Physical Description:
There are three different grades of sodium chloride available from Ravensdown:
- Grade 10 salt has a larger and less uniform particle size, has not been dried and is only available in bulk. Available from selected stores only.
- Grade 22 salt is a coarse white granular/crystalline material with a particle size of 1-5mm. It is dried and has had the larger pieces screened out. Available from most stores in 25kg (plain and animal health branded) and 1000kg (plain) woven polypropylene bags. See animal health label: Salt label.
- Grade 27 salt is a very fine white crystalline material which looks like table salt. It is faster dissolving than the other forms because of the smaller particle size. Available in 25kg plain bags from selected stores only.
- Salt blocks - Ravensdown does not sell salt blocks.
Uses:
Salt is used as a fertiliser additive to increase pasture sodium levels for animal health purposes as well as a animal supplement to prevent and treat sodium deficiency in grazing livestock.
Benefits:
- Animal Health - Sodium chloride is a high quality cost-effective, simple and hassle-free method of providing supplementary sodium when required and when animals are being fed on diets that are low in sodium.
- Fertiliser - Sodium chloride readily increases herbage sodium levels, which if grazed will increase the amount of sodium in the diet. Especially important for lactating animals. Note: Pasture plants do not require sodium as an essential element.
Application:
- Animal Health - Salt is administered to livestock by oral drenching, addition to drinking water, addition to supplementary feed, supplied as a lick or blended with fertiliser. For dose rates please contact your veterinarian or nutritionist. Salt can be mixed with any other oral nutritional animal health products. It is soluble in water so can be administered through the drinking water, however it can be corrosive to machinery so check with your equipment supplier first. Most farmers use coarse (grade 22) salt because it is cheaper but fine (grade 27) salt can also be used.
- Fertiliser - Application rates are generally around 50 to 100 kg salt/ha, depending on the pasture sodium levels. Salt is compatible with the same range of fertiliser products as potassium chloride. Care is required not to mix with well granulated compound fertilisers where the finer salt particles with segregate during transport and spreading. Either grade 10 bulk salt (cheaper but variable granule size) or grade 22 salt (more expensive but more consistent granule size) are used.
- Salt can be pre-blended with Ravensdown PKE & Dairy Hi Carb Products.
Meat and milk withholding periods for animals: NIL
Storage & Handling:
Salt is mildly irritant, so care should be taken to avoid contact with eyes. Because salt absorbs moisture from the atmosphere it is recommended that it is stored in a cool, dry covered facility, and ensure that the bag is closed properly after use.
Source:
All salt is extracted from seawater. All South Island product comes from Lake Grassmere in Blenheim, NZ. All North Island product comes from Mount Maunganui, some of which is shipped up from Lake Grassmere and some of which has been imported from Australia.
For Further Information:
Animal Health and Nutrition Brochure
Safety Data Sheet (SDS):
Sodium Chloride
Product Safety Card (PSC):
Sodium Chloride