I have no knowledge of all the trace elements bees need except for what Phil posted. So my idea was to provide the Himalayan salt with has all the trace elements and let the bees decide. After all the post, I purchased a 2 inch by 8 inch by 4 inch salt brick, $13 that hopefully the coon can?t drag off. I will place on a hollow stump close to the hives. This stump collects algae as Bob stated bees like algae, and also the bees seem to like the turbid water.
No cattle close to my apiary, would not matter, the bees in the USA are clean lil buggers, they even wash their hands.