When forage or grains are grown in drought conditions, the nutrient levels of minerals increase greatly. Why? Rain events leach minerals away from the plant root zone. There is less tonnage grown in drought situations but there is increase of mineral percentages. Therefore, the cattle will practically stop consuming free choice mineral options. As soon as there is a rain event and the minerals leach away from the roots, the plants grow rapidly, the mineral levels in the plants drop and the animals start consuming free choice mineral.