Zinc Supplementation – Your questions answered
It is that time of year again, when conditions are right for spore counts to rise sharply.
See the top questions we get asked about facial eczema, with answers from our Technical Team.
1. Can I delay zinc supplementation?
Given zinc for facial eczema prevention is over 10x the regular zinc dose, it makes sense that we want to get the timing right for beginning supplementation.
However, the challenge is that the zinc needs to get into the animal before the spores do.
The threshold for “hitting go” on zinc supplementation is when pasture spore counts are >30,000 spores per gram or when faecal spore counts are >75,000spg.
To get this timing accurate, regular monitoring of pasture spore counts on your own farm is required. If you are testing regularly, you can wait until pasture spore counts reach 30,000spg. If you are not testing regularly you may need to start when pasture spores counts are more like 10,000- 20,000spg in case they rise before you next test.
2. How useful are Regional Spore counts?
Regional spore counts can be found by searching for your region on this website >> Awanui Veterinary – Lab Portal
They are useful to give a general indication of what is happening in your area, however given spore counts can vary significantly from farm to farm, and even within a farm, they are best used as a timely reminder for you to test your own paddocks!
3. Will it deplete copper if I feed zinc for more than three months?
This certainly was the case in the past when we used copper in the sulphate form. What would happen is copper and zinc would “use the same gate” to get absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream. So, when there was a high rate of zinc included for facial eczema, this “gate” was flooded with zinc, reducing the absorption of copper.
Now, with non-sulphate forms of copper, such as Nutritech’s B-TRAXIM® organic copper glycinate, copper now has its “own gate”, so can still be absorbed by the cow, even when high rates of zinc are being fed.
Feel free to reach out to your Nutritech Area Manager to discuss the different options for zinc and copper during the Facial Eczema season.
4. I don’t want to do another round of boluses as spore counts might drop, what else can I do?
Just as important as starting zinc on time, finishing zinc supplementation at the right time is also critical. Ultimately, we need to wait until pasture spore counts drop below 30,000spg, which in some seasons can extend all the way past April.
If you are uncertain when this ‘end’ might come, you may consider switching to DanMix® Zinc loose lick. This is a ‘free choice’ zinc supplement that is perfect for using on the shoulders of the season. Find out more about DanMix® Zinc DanMix® Zinc | Nutritech
5. How do I know if I’ve got the zinc right?
Every method of zinc supplementation has its strengths and its weaknesses. No matter which way you supplement it is important to take bloods with your veterinarian. Your zinc programme is considered effective when the majority of your animals are within the targeted range of 20-35µmol /L. Testing a sample of 10 animals, with a range of liveweights, is suggested to get a good understanding of individual variability.
Have more questions? Reach out to your local Nutritech Area Manager, and they’ll connect with our technical team for a response.