Supplemental Protein: Convenient Nutrition for Your Herd
Sep 21, 2026
Justin R. Crocheck
Senior Cattle Consultant
AS YOU KNOW, protein levels can differ by species of forage, by different fields and by different cuttings. The protein values of our forages were lowered again this year as the nitrogen content was diluted by the rains and/or the additional tons harvested. In many areas, our pastures are still green and washy with all the rain across a large area of the Key Cooperative marketing area. We also baled a lot of hay that was lightly kissed to drowned by rains that weren’t forecasted to come. Making hay wasn’t convenient this summer, but we can make supplementing protein for your cow-calf operation convenient this fall.
With the already wet fall we’ve been dealing with, we need a convenient way to supply supplemental protein to our cow-calf operations while we’re bringing in the fall harvest. Your time is valuable and so is your herd!
Nothing could be easier or faster than to roll some tubs off the tailgate of your pickup, along with a salt block or two.
QLF® Ignite 30 and 40 protein tubs are formulated to help fill the gaps of medium down to the lower-quality forage of fall pasture, hay and stalk fields. These low-moisture tubs have been poured not pressed to combat the weather. QLF Ignite poured tubs are durable, and they limit intake by licking instead of biting. The tubs are palatable because of the molasses sources QLF uses to produce a more consistent intake compared to the softer, plant-based pressed tub. As you prepare to wean this fall or have already weaned, we can add QLF Ignite Stress Max AV4® mineral tubs alongside the protein tubs to boost cows and calves in our weaning pens. These tubs are formulated with Availa® 4 mineral from Zinpro® to provide highly available sources of zinc, copper, manganese and cobalt to fill the gaps in the trace mineral needs of our herd.
Our stress tub formulation at Key Cooperative also contains a product called Celmanax™. It’s a yeast culture that was originally created by VI-COR that contains yeast cultures, MOS and beta-glucan. It’s designed to assist all stages of life in our cow-calf operations by improving the gut bacteria and animal immunity all in one convenient package by binding pathogens and toxins in the gut and expelling them from the animal’s system.
Key Cooperative is your source of convenient nutrition this fall. To make it even more convenient for you, we’re offering special pricing and/or booking options through December 31, 2026; see our fall beef promotions here. Contact your Key Feed Specialist today and we'll assist you in filling the nutritional gaps for your cattle this fall and winter.
Senior Cattle Consultant
AS YOU KNOW, protein levels can differ by species of forage, by different fields and by different cuttings. The protein values of our forages were lowered again this year as the nitrogen content was diluted by the rains and/or the additional tons harvested. In many areas, our pastures are still green and washy with all the rain across a large area of the Key Cooperative marketing area. We also baled a lot of hay that was lightly kissed to drowned by rains that weren’t forecasted to come. Making hay wasn’t convenient this summer, but we can make supplementing protein for your cow-calf operation convenient this fall.
With the already wet fall we’ve been dealing with, we need a convenient way to supply supplemental protein to our cow-calf operations while we’re bringing in the fall harvest. Your time is valuable and so is your herd!
Nothing could be easier or faster than to roll some tubs off the tailgate of your pickup, along with a salt block or two.
QLF® Ignite 30 and 40 protein tubs are formulated to help fill the gaps of medium down to the lower-quality forage of fall pasture, hay and stalk fields. These low-moisture tubs have been poured not pressed to combat the weather. QLF Ignite poured tubs are durable, and they limit intake by licking instead of biting. The tubs are palatable because of the molasses sources QLF uses to produce a more consistent intake compared to the softer, plant-based pressed tub. As you prepare to wean this fall or have already weaned, we can add QLF Ignite Stress Max AV4® mineral tubs alongside the protein tubs to boost cows and calves in our weaning pens. These tubs are formulated with Availa® 4 mineral from Zinpro® to provide highly available sources of zinc, copper, manganese and cobalt to fill the gaps in the trace mineral needs of our herd.
Our stress tub formulation at Key Cooperative also contains a product called Celmanax™. It’s a yeast culture that was originally created by VI-COR that contains yeast cultures, MOS and beta-glucan. It’s designed to assist all stages of life in our cow-calf operations by improving the gut bacteria and animal immunity all in one convenient package by binding pathogens and toxins in the gut and expelling them from the animal’s system.
Key Cooperative is your source of convenient nutrition this fall. To make it even more convenient for you, we’re offering special pricing and/or booking options through December 31, 2026; see our fall beef promotions here. Contact your Key Feed Specialist today and we'll assist you in filling the nutritional gaps for your cattle this fall and winter.