Livestock Supplement and Lick Calculator: Intake, Bags and Cost

Calculate daily lick intake, total supplement required, number of bags needed, cost per animal and total feeding cost for your herd.

Use the calculator to compare intake rates, bag sizes, feeding periods and supplement prices before buying or putting out lick.

Results are estimates for planning purposes. Always follow the manufacturer's label and recommended intake rates. Actual intake will vary according to animal type, veld condition, lick palatability, weather, trough space and management.

1 Choose animal type

2 Choose supplement / lick type

3 Herd and feeding period

Number of animals

Average animal weight (kg) Optional context only. Calculation is based on intake per animal per day.

Feeding period (days)

Target intake per animal per day (g/head/day)

Wastage allowance (%) Use the intake recommended on the product label. Winter protein licks and production licks can have very different recommended intakes.

4 Bag and price details

Price basis

Price per bag Price per ton

Calculations use the selected price basis only.

Bag size (kg)

Price per bag (R/bag)

Current bags on hand

Current loose supplement on hand (kg) Optional. Loose supplement in bins or bulk storage.

5 Urea / NPN warning

Contains urea/NPN

Warning: This supplement may contain urea/NPN. Always follow the manufacturer's label. Do not feed urea-containing lick to hungry animals without adaptation. Keep troughs filled and prevent gluttonous intake. Do not allow animals to run out and then overconsume.

6 Results

Supplement required per day —

Supplement required for feeding period —

Supplement required including wastage —

Practical bags to buy —

Cost per animal per day —

Total cost for feeding period —

Days covered by current stock —

Bags still needed —

Total kg required (with wastage)

—

Tons required

—

Intake per animal per day

—

Cost per kg supplement

—

Total cost per day

—

Cost per animal for feeding period

—

Bags required before rounding

—

Bags required per week

—

Bags required per 30 days

—

Current stock on hand

—

Shortfall or surplus

—

Supplement cost per week

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Supplement cost per 30 days

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How to Use the Supplement and Lick Calculator

Enter the number of animals, expected daily intake per animal, feeding period, bag size and price per bag.

The calculator estimates:

Daily supplement required
Total supplement required
Number of bags needed
Cost per animal per day
Cost per animal for the full period
Total supplement cost for the herd

Use the manufacturer's recommended intake rate and realistic local prices. Actual intake can vary according to animal type, veld condition, weather, trough space, palatability and management.

Understanding the Supplement and Lick Calculator Results

Daily supplement required estimates how much lick or supplement the full herd may consume each day.

Total supplement required shows the estimated quantity needed for the entire feeding period.

Bags needed converts the total requirement into the selected bag size for purchasing and delivery planning.

Cost per animal per day helps compare different products and intake rates.

Cost per animal for the full period shows the estimated supplement expense for one animal.

Total supplement cost estimates the full cost for the herd over the selected period.

These figures are estimates only. Actual intake and cost may differ because of veld condition, weather, animal type, trough access, palatability, product quality and management.

Planning winter feeding as well as supplements? Use the Hay Bale Cost Calculator to estimate bale requirements, cost per animal and total feeding cost.

For cattle finishing, use the Cattle Feedlot Calculator to estimate feed intake, weight gain, days on feed and projected profit.