New Zealand soils are deficient in many minerals, including sodium. Salt blocks (or salt licks) are manufactured and fed out to livestock so that they can get the trace elements they need. Early farmers were aware of this deficiency and they liberally added salt to hay during stacking, and to topdressing on occasions when it could be bought cheaply from local meat works. Research has shown that stock weights increase significantly when they are given mineral salt blocks.
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Dominion Salt
Photograph by Robin Piggott
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