Trace mineral deficiencies negatively affect a dairy cow's immune function and her natural ability to fight off infections. The deficiencies require the animal to metabolically compensate for the nutrient deviation. When that happens, the animal is challenged with metabolic disorders and depressed overall performance.

The challenge for nutritionists and dairy producers is that the deficiencies do not immediately impact health or milk yield. In fact, trace mineral deficiencies can take 60 to 120 days to appear. It can take nearly as long for the cow's body to return to normal. It is important to consistently feed a high plane of nutrition and an adequate amount of a bioavailable source of trace minerals because they are required for critical enzyme functions in the animal. These enzyme functions are responsible for everything from connective tissue strength to reproductive system success to general immune system function.

Trace minerals are essential for health & production :

The National Research Council estimates that trace minerals such as copper, manganese and zinc have low natural bioavailability and absorption in the animal and must be supplemented, because they play key roles in many of the animal's biological systems.

Copper is important for red blood cell health, collagen development and reproduction. It can aid immune functioning in the prevention of mastitis and other infections and diseases. Deficiencies of copper have been associated with retained placentas, embryonic death and decreased conception rates.

Manganese contributes to reproductive health. While pregnant, lactating cows require more manganese than do growing cattle. Deficiency signs include delayed ovulation, lower conception rates and calving difficulties.

Zinc is important in protein production and plays a role in immune development and response, cell growth, hoof and bone health as well as a defense against oxidative stress and damage. Additionally, zinc is important for production of keratin, which lines the inside of the teat duct and helps to keep out microorganisms that can cause mastitis.

Overfeeding of minerals does not improve animal performance :

Only a small portion of inorganic mineral salts are delivered to the intestinal absorption sites; much is excreted into the environment. Therefore, a ration would have to be formulated with higher levels of minerals to ensure the cow is getting the required amounts. However, overfeeding can result in antagonistic chemical interactions that also make the mineral unavailable to the animal. Feeding highly bioavailable trace minerals can help maximize performance. Chelated trace minerals are proven to have better absorption and bio-availability.

®MINTREX: A high bioavailable source of trace minerals: ®MINTREX chelated organic trace minerals from Novus provide a highly bioavailable source of trace minerals to dairy cows in all stages of production. The unique 2:1 chelate structure delivers high bioavailability and superior quality over other inorganic and organic sources of trace minerals. ®MINTREX works to improve overall animal production through boosting reproductive performance, increasing health status and reducing the number of lame cows and hoof problems compared to other mineral sources.

Dairy producers can make their mineral feeding program more efficient by following a 3-step process and provide the animal with the right amount of trace minerals without the waste:

• Reduce current inclusion levels of inorganic trace minerals
• Replace minerals with Novus BioOptimized Trace Minerals (®MINTREX)
• Reformulate your ration based on the greater bioavailability of BioOptimized Trace Minerals.

Contact Novus Animal Nutrition India Pvt. Ltd.