Inform Nutrition – HeadStart Precalver Elite
Pre-calving minerals should be fed to dry cows for Eight weeks pre calving. The correct feeding level is formulated at 108g/cow/day feeding rate. If dusting minerals on silage, it is preferable to offer minerals twice daily (54g/cow in two feeds) to try to ensure that intake is controlled and that all cows can have access to minerals. This is especially important where feed space is limited.
- Magnesium (Mg) is the key mineral for the prevention of (sub) clinical milk fever. The cow requires about 20 – 25g/cow/day (17% – 21% Mg in the mix for a 108g feeding rate). Trace minerals and vitamins (copper, selenium, zinc, etc.) should be fed from at least eight weeks pre-calving to achieve adequate levels for the calving period. Our Elite pre calver contains vitamin D (>120,000 units per kg) which is included in the mineral supplement to help prevent milk fever.
- Vitamins A, D3 AND E are essential for growth, health, production and fertility of all types
of bovines. Around calving time, they play important roles in calcium metabolism, the calving
process and colostrum quality. Deficiencies can result in slow calving, increased infections in
cows and increased incidence of respiratory disease and diarrhoea in calves. Preserved forages
such as hay and silage have low levels of vitamins and these vitamins should always be
supplemented.
- IodEX – 3 Sources of protected Iodine
• As a protected source to combat feed interactions, but still be available in the rumen,
where 60% of iodine is absorbed.
• Iodine is a very unstable element and therefore can be subject to volatisation unless
it is protected in the form of IodEX.
• IodEX helps ensure your cow gets the iodine it requires during the pre-calving period
- Biotin improves horn/hoof quality. This helps reduce the rick of lameness.
Inadequate mineral supplementation during the dry period can cause problems with new-born calf health, as well as a greater risk of problems with cow health.
Cow health problems from inadequate mineral supplementation include:
- clinical and subclinical milk fever
- ketosis
- retained cleanings
- low dry matter intake
- displaced abomasum and
- fertility problems
