Reproduction needs to be a priority throughout the season.
With the cows already dried off, conduct a quick review of animal health issues, organise blood tests, and address any deficiencies well before the planned start of mating.
Invest in blood tests
Data serves as a valuable tool for identifying areas of lost productivity, reduced days in milk, and high animal health costs. Trace element and mineral deficiencies are often underlying issues that are difficult to detect without further investigation.
Selenium, copper, cobalt, iodine, zinc, magnesium, and calcium can impact cow health. Therefore, this list is a blood profile that is ideal for this time of the season. Due to the adverse weather conditions, many regions of the country have experienced herd blood levels may be significantly lower than anticipated. This is concerning given the fast approach of the new season. If you are worried about the well-being of your herd or issues related to mastitis, lameness, or cows not cleaning well, then blood tests are an investment in helping to resolve the problem.
Implement a nutrition programme
Cows have the best opportunity to build their trace element status before calving, but winter’s cold and wet conditions can affect availability from other sources. Therefore, implementing a high-performance Bell-Booth trace element nutrition programme to address deficiencies, enhance liver storage, and support up to 300 days of lactation begins now.
This is also the time to consider the next group of heifers to enter the herd. They are likely to be on marginal land; therefore, they have less pasture nutrient availability and often have limited access to trace elements that support their rapid growth rates. A blood test for these future productive animals is advisable to avoid any post-calving problems.
Drawing on decades of experience delivering high-performance trace elements, Bell-Booth has developed formulations suitable for water medication via a Dosatron inline dispenser, feed-out wagons, ad-lib dry supplements or add to your in-shed feeding system.
Formulations to suit the needs of the current of future herd
Start a Bell-Booth Intense 240 trace element programme immediately, especially before calving and preparing cows for mating. The formulation of Intense 240 is specifically designed to address deficiencies of seven essential trace elements. A further recommendation is to dose Bell-Booth Iodine in preparation for reproduction. Magnesium is also a priority before calving.
R1, R2 and wintering cows
Whether the delivery method for minerals and trace elements is through medicated water or feed bins/troughs, it’s essential to provide these animals with a source of key elements. Bell-Booth Intense 5 is one option. Bell-Booth Crumble is a highly palatable ad lib dry feed for young animals, and Bell-Booth Just Beet it, contains the necessary phosphorus levels for those on a fodder-beet or kale diet.
Organic registered dairy farms
When BioGro-registered trace elements are required, Bell-Booth also offer a range of formulations that will assist with addressing animal health issues, fertility concerns, or to support milk production.
All Bell-Booth trace element products in an orange jerry can or bag bear the Dosatron Approved Product tick of approval. This guarantees that the formulation is suitable for water medication. The high-grade raw materials used in the formulations ensure solubility, and they remain suspended so cows have access to key elements every time through their drinking water.
Look on the shelves for Bell-Booth individual trace elements that have been concentrated to lower the cost per dose, help reduce the number of plastic containers on farms, and ensure farmers have the essential trace elements needed to respond to seasonal variations.
Animal welfare and the duty of care are high priorities for New Zealand farmers. To achieve longevity in our herds, reduce wastage, and enable voluntary culling, trace element and mineral nutrition must become integral to the farm’s best practices.
Contact your Bell-Booth Territory Manager to help review your data and blood test results so they can provide you with some clear direction and discuss a plan.
For more information on a Bell-Booth trace elements programme, talk to your TSR or visit your local Farm Source store.
Article supplied by Bell Booth