There has been a great deal of focus on the efficiency of dairies to insure optimum profitability, but many experts suggest there is a major economic opportunity for the dairy industry to increase profitability through improved longevity of the herd. Mastitis, reproductive performance, lameness and disease challenges are all key reasons why cows are involuntarily culled, before the cow reaches its peak production lactation. By looking at mineral nutrition to address issues that lead to early culling, producers can begin to see economic advantages of longevity.
The evidence
While there are many factors leading to involuntary culls, there is a great deal of published research to demonstrate the benefits of enhanced mineral nutrition. Minerals such as selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) all have important roles in immunity against diseases, such as mastitis, and in addressing infertility and lameness. The cow’s requirements for minerals are influenced by several factors including age, stage of pregnancy, and stage of lactation. It is often overlooked that the requirement for optimum immune response is greater than for growth and reproduction. Cows can have sufficient mineral intake for adequate growth and reproductive performance but not have optimal immune performance. The unfortunate reality is that by the time clinical signs of a mineral inadequacy become apparent; immunity, growth, and fertility already have been compromised.
The goal in feeding minerals should not be merely to avoid a deficiency, but to optimize the mineral status in animals and thus optimize the immune response. Feeding trace elements such as zinc, selenium, and copper in organic form, such as
Bioplex® minerals, has been shown to increase the uptake of the animal and achieve a higher level of response.
Harmon (1998) supplemented heifers at 120 days prepartum with 10 parts per million Cu from two different sources (Cu sulfate or Bioplex Cu). The heifers supplemented with Bioplex Cu had a higher proportion of quarters confirmed uninfected (67.5 percent) compared to control (47.5 percent) or Cu sulfate (45.5 percent) and fewer quarters were infected with staphylococci in cows supplemented with organic Cu (7.5 percent) compared to control (27.5 percent)- and Cu sulfate (31.8 percent)-fed cows.
Scaletti et al, (2012) supplemented heifers beginning 60 days prepartum with 10 parts per million Cu sulfate or Bioplex Cu providing about 110 mg supplemental Cu daily prepartum and 200 mg daily postpartum. One quarter from each cow was infused with E. coli as an intramammary challenge to induce mastitis. Following challenge, Bioplex Cu cows had higher white blood cell counts, lower E. coli in the milk and greater milk production compared to the control- and Cu sulfate-fed cows.
Increased milk yield
Cope et al, (2009) fortified lactating dairy cow diets with Zn to supply the total recommended level, according to NRC (2001), or 60mg of Zn/kg to supply 0.66 of the total recommended level, either supplemented as inorganic zinc or organic zinc (Bioplex Zn). It was concluded that supplementing Zn at the recommended level reduced somatic cell
counts and milk amyloid A levels, whereas supplementation in an organic form at the recommended level also increased milk yield.
Silvestre et al, (2006), fed close-up cows 23 days prior to calving diets containing selenium in the form of Sel-Plex or inorganic selenium (sodium selenite). It was shown that feeding Sel-Plex supported innate and adaptive immunity, reductions in the occurrence of fever in multiparous cows during the 10-day postpartum period; uterine health status within 10 days postpartum, second service conception rates and milk production increases.
In Kinal et al, (2007) Holstein cows were fed similar diets during 305 days of lactation. The cows, successively divided into three experimental groups by analogue method, were fed with diets containing different forms of zinc, copper and manganese applied in mineral mixtures. The control group received these trace elements as sulphates; Group 2 received a blend of 50 percent inorganic/50 per centorganic; and Group 3 received 100 percent organic minerals. Cows receiving Zn, Mn and Cu as Bioplex were characterized in first 100 as well as for 305 days of lactation by higher milk production, by about 2.7 kg and 1.45 kg, respectively and decreased somatic cell count (SCC) by about 22 and 34 per cent, respectively.
Selenium, copper, and zinc supplementation in diets is important for optimizing the health and reproduction of dairy cows. Research has shown that enhanced mineral nutrition can help correct many of the issues that lead to involuntary culling. Organic trace minerals and organic selenium offer a protected natural form of mineral supplementation that enhances mineral status to improve longevity and offer financial returns on the dairy.
Editor’s Note: This commentary is sponsored by Alltech. Through 34 years of research-driven product development, Alltech has created a range of natural solutions for the feed and food industries. For more information, please visit the Web sites at www.alltech.com.
This commentary is for informational purposes only. The opinions and comments expressed herein represent the opinions of the author--they do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Farms.com. This commentary is not intended to provide individual advice to anyone. Farms.com will not be liable for any errors or omissions in the information, or for any damages or losses in any way related to this commentary.