Lick Happens: Picking the Right Tubs

What Are Cattle Lick Tubs?

Cattle lick tubs (also called lick tubs, supplement tubs, or protein tubs) are free‑choice nutritional supplements designed to support cattle when forage quality is poor or inconsistent. They are typically fed in winter, early spring, drought conditions, or on low‑quality forage.

Cattle consume the tub by licking it, which helps regulate intake while providing:

• Protein
• Energy
• Minerals and trace minerals
• Vitamins
• Digestive support (depending on formulation)

Lick tubs are popular because they are:

• Low‑labour and easy to use
• Ideal for pasture, range, and winter feeding
• Helpful for maintaining body condition and rumen function

Why Protein and Mineral Supplementation Matters

Cattle rely on rumen microbes to break down forage. When forage quality drops (low protein, weathered hay, straw, dormant pasture), those microbes don’t function efficiently.

Supplementation helps:

• Improve forage digestion
• Increase feed intake and utilization
• Maintain body condition
• Support pregnancy, lactation, and growth
• Reduce stress during cold weather

This is where the difference between urea and urea‑free tubs becomes important.

What Is Urea in Cattle Tubs?

Urea is a form of non‑protein nitrogen (NPN). While it is not a true protein, rumen microbes can convert urea into microbial protein when enough energy is available.

Urea‑based tubs are commonly used as protein supplements and are often more cost‑effective per unit of protein.

Key Characteristics of Urea‑Based Tubs:

• Contain non‑protein nitrogen (urea)
• Designed to feed rumen microbes, not directly the animal
• Require adequate forage energy to be effective

When a tub is described as “designed to feed rumen microbes, not directly the animal,” it means the nutrients are intended to support the billions of microbes living in the rumen that do the real work of digestion. Cattle rely on these microbes to break down fibre in forage and turn it into energy and protein the animal can use. In urea-based tubs, the urea provides nitrogen that helps those microbes grow and multiply. As the microbes digest forage and reproduce, they eventually pass through the digestive system and become a high-quality protein source for the animal. In simple terms, you’re feeding the microbes so they can feed the cow.

This matters because these microbes need both nitrogen and energy to function properly. If forage quality is very poor or lacks energy, urea-based tubs may be less effective or require careful management. Understanding how these tubs work helps producers choose the right supplement for their forage conditions, feeding goals, and time of year—and explains why some operations prefer urea-free options in certain situations.

What Are Urea‑Free (All‑Natural Protein) Tubs?

Urea‑free tubs use natural protein sources such as plant proteins, yeast cultures, or other digestible protein ingredients instead of NPN.

These tubs provide protein directly to the animal and support rumen health without relying on urea conversion.

Key Characteristics of Urea‑Free Tubs:

• No non‑protein nitrogen
• Use natural, digestible protein sources
• Support rumen function more gently
• Often include probiotics, prebiotics, or yeast cultures

Urea vs Urea‑Free: Side‑by‑Side Comparison

When Should You Use Urea‑Based Tubs?

Urea‑based tubs are best suited for:

• Mature beef cattle
• Cows in mid‑gestation
• Animals consuming adequate energy forage
• Producers looking for a cost‑effective protein option

They should NOT be used for:

• Horses or other non‑ruminants
• Sheep or goats (copper and NPN risks)
• Very young calves
• Situations where forage energy is extremely poor

When Should You Use Urea‑Free Tubs?

Urea‑free tubs are often recommended for:

• Late‑gestation and lactating cows
• Young or growing cattle
• Stressed cattle (cold weather, transport, poor forage)
• Mixed‑species operations
• Producers prioritizing digestive health and intake consistency

They are also a preferred choice for producers wanting a safer, more forgiving supplement.

Protein Tubs vs Mineral Tubs

It’s important to understand that not all tubs serve the same purpose:

Protein Tubs

• Provide protein and energy support
• Used when forage protein is low
• Common in winter and early spring

Mineral Tubs

• Focus on macro and trace minerals
• Help balance mineral deficiencies
• Often used year‑round depending on forage

Some programs use both, depending on cattle needs and forage analysis.

Bittering Agents

Bittering agents are ingredients added to some lick tubs to slow down how quickly cattle consume the product. They don’t provide nutritional value; instead, they make the tub less palatable so animals take smaller, more controlled amounts at a time. Common bittering agents can include certain minerals, salts, or naturally bitter compounds. This intake control is important because lick tubs are free-choice—without it, cattle may consume too much too quickly, which can lead to digestive upset, nutritional imbalances, and higher feeding costs. Bittering agents encourage cattle to lick briefly, walk away, and return later, helping spread intake more evenly throughout the day.

Where this becomes counterintuitive is in how bittering agents affect actual protein intake. A tub may be labeled as higher protein (such as 25% or 32%), but if it contains strong bittering agents, cattle often consume less product per lick. That means each lick delivers less total material—and therefore less protein—despite the higher percentage on the label. In contrast, a lower-protein tub with better palatability may allow cattle to consume slightly more per visit, sometimes resulting in equal or greater total protein intake over time. This is why protein percentage alone doesn’t tell the full story; palatability, intake control, forage quality, and feeding behavior all influence how much nutrition cattle actually receive.

Choosing the Right Tub for Your Operation

There is no one‑size‑fits‑all tub. The right choice depends on:

• Time of year
• Forage quality
• Stage of production (gestation, lactation, growth)
• Herd type and size
• Management style

Cattle Options

Equine and Multi-Species Tubs

At 56 North Ranch Supply, we help customers choose tubs based on practical, real‑world conditions, not just labels.

Need Help Choosing a Tub?

If you’re unsure whether a urea or urea‑free tub is right for your cattle, stop by or talk with our team. We’re happy to help match the right supplement to your forage, herd, and winter feeding plan.

📍 56 North Ranch Supply

Serving Northern Alberta producers with trusted livestock nutrition solutions