These two goals collide at this time of the season and apply pressure. Staying focused on the needs of the cows and meeting the energy requirements is first on the list. Second is to continue providing essential minerals and trace elements to achieve feed conversion and keep cows healthy so they can have more chance of getting in-calf. This is not the time for any deficiencies to show up.
Nutrimol 4n1
September is a reminder to provide your herd with compounds to encourage heat strength and length. Nutrimol 4n1 formulation contains seaweed, iodine, folic acid, and vitamins specifically designed to assist with getting cows in-calf, early.
Ideally start dosing 7mL Nutrimol 4n1 30 days prior to the planned start of mating for best results. 90% submission rate needs to be achieved to drive a solid 6 week in-calf rate that produces the days in milk required to be profitable.
With the average mating length around 10.5-11 weeks, stay focused on the long game. Continue dosing Nutrimol 4n1 until 60 days after the end of mating.
Iodine
Iodine has many roles, including driving hormone production, supporting energy metabolism and embryo development, so newborn calves are not at risk of being weak and underweight. Start dosing Bell-Booth Iodine via your Dosatron dispenser at the elevated mating dose rate and continue until the end of mating. At this time, reduce the rate as per label instructions but continue daily dosing throughout the season.
Trace elements
Cows are under pressure from milk production, peak, hold and reproduction. This is the time to ensure you deliver a strong array of essential trace elements to support the marathon the cows do each day. Intense 5 provides the essentials: selenium, copper, cobalt, zinc and manganese in an easy-to-use formulation suitable for Dosatron dispensers, feed-out wagon or in-shed feeding systems.
Maintain magnesium, calcium and the key trace elements to set up reproduction and milk production.
Calcium
When all cows have calved and you are looking for a daily source of calcium that can easily be dosed via your Dosatron dispenser, then consider adding Bell-Booth Calcium. It’s a highly palatable formulation that contains vitamins A, D and E. Calcium alongside magnesium is a critical pair that drives milk production. During milk peak and hold, It’s time to maintain the daily offering as there is much milk yet to bank.
Getting it right is the most cost-effective strategy, and strong payouts reinforce the value of every litre of milk produced.
For more information on supporting reproduction, milk production and herd health this spring, talk to your local Bell-Booth Territory Sales Manager or Farm Source TSR.
