Imagine your herd grazing lush pastures…but still missing the very nutrients they need to thrive. That gap between grass and greatness is exactly where free-choice minerals, and smart soil mineral testing, step in—turning depleted fields into nutrient factories and average livestock into superstar grazers.
In regenerative agriculture, every element plays a part—from living roots in the ground to the animals grazing above. One of the most transformative practices at Crescent Moon Farms is our use of animal mineral supplements in a “free-choice” format, paired with rigorous soil mineral testing to rebuild mineral-rich pastures. Here’s how we turn dirt into dinner, nurture healthier herds, and close the loop on soil-to-stock nutrition.
Why Soil Mineral Testing Matters
Healthy animals start with healthy land. Over decades of conventional cropping, soils lose their natural mineral balance:
- Monoculture & Erosion: Growing the same feed crops (corn, soy) strips specific nutrients.
- Chemical Inputs: Synthetic fertilizers can mask deficits but don’t rebuild the soil microbiome.
- Mineral Depletion: Key elements like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and trace minerals vanish from the root zone.
Through regular soil mineral testing, we map exactly which nutrients are missing. Our analyses guide targeted amendments—ensuring every pasture reboot is based on real data, not guesswork.
What Are Free Choice Minerals?
Instead of forcing animals into a one-size-fits-all supplement, we provide loose mineral stations that let livestock self-select the trace elements they need. Each station contains a blend of:
- Macro-Minerals: Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium for bone strength and energy metabolism
- Trace Minerals: Copper, zinc, selenium, cobalt, manganese for immune function and fertility.
- Salt & Binders: To regulate intake and keep minerals free-flowing but stable.
By placing these loose minerals in paddocks, our cattle can lick and nibble exactly when and what they crave—leading to balanced nutrition and fewer deficiencies.
How It Works on the Farm
We don’t just toss minerals in a corner—we weave minerals into our pasture-rest cycle, creating a true soil-to-stock feedback loop.
- Test & Amend the Soil: Every spring and fall, we sample paddocks to pinpoint mineral gaps. We apply rock dusts or organic composts rich in the needed elements.
- Introduce Mineral Stations: After a rest period, we rotate cows into a fresh paddock equipped with free-choice minerals. Animals immediately explore these new options—often licking within hours.
- Monitor Intake & Health: We track mineral consumption visually and through animal performance:
- Improved weight gain and milk production
- Healthier coats, stronger hooves, and better fertility
- Reduced need for veterinary mineral injections
- Rotate & Repeat: As we move the herd every day, each paddock cycles through rest, soil amendment, and mineral access—reinforcing a sustainable, nutrient-rich system.
Benefits of Free Choice Minerals
When animals choose their own supplements and graze on balanced pasture, you see results in the barnyard—and on the bottom line.
- Customized Nutrition: Animals regulate their own intake, preventing under- or over-supplementation.
- Enhanced Soil Health: Uneaten mineral dusts enrich the earth, boosting forage quality for the next grazing cycle.
- Stronger Herds: Balanced mineral profiles translate to better immune function, growth rates, and reproductive success.
- True Regeneration: By closing the loop—from soil analysis to animal consumption—our pastures become living systems rather than depleted fields.
The CMF Difference: No Shortcuts, No Funky Stuff
At Crescent Moon Farms, soil mineral testing and animal mineral supplements are cornerstones of our regenerative farm mission. We pay for labs, not labels—and invest every dollar back into the land and livestock. Our free-choice mineral program exemplifies our commitment to ecological integrity and animal-centric care–happy cows mean healthier food on your table.
When you choose pasture-raised beef or poultry from Crescent Moon Farms, you’re voting for a food system that values the unseen life beneath your feet. Back farms that:
- Prioritize soil mineral testing before any amendment
- Offer free choice mineral blocks or loose free-choice minerals for true animal-driven nutrition
- Reinvest in ecological health, not chemical shortcuts
Real nutrition starts in the soil. And by supporting farms like ours, you help regenerate land, strengthen herds, and bring nutrient-dense food back to your plate.
