Agriculture 

Carte publicitaire sel agriculture

Just as it is for people, salt is indispensable to the organisms of animals (see paragraph 1). It plays a role in their nervous system activity and their muscles; it is also essential in regulating their hydration and digestion.  Animals must therefore regularly consume a sufficient quantity of salt. However, their diet does not always satisfy their needs, which is why, in pastures, farmers set out blocks of salt for their animals to lick. Their growth and productivity is thus enhanced.

Salt can also be added to animal feed. It then plays a dual role, as a nutritional additive and a preservative. Due to its properties (see the paragraph on preservation) it, in fact, prevents feed from fermenting or rotting and thus becoming unfit for animal consumption.

In addition, salt or its derivatives can help to enrich the soil, meaning that it can furnish minerals that are either absent or in insufficient quantity.  Some products used against weeds or insects are produced from products derived from salt.