Successful winter crop transitioning
As we all know, with any change of diet (or transition), the microbes and the rumen papillae need time to adapt to the new ingredients, so that the digestion and absorption of nutrients keeps going well and also that there is no shortage or sudden overload either!
Image credit: Dairy Australia
Image: Young stock during winter supplemented with DanMix®
During any feed transition, trace minerals supplementation can be compromised, and any shortage can cause animal health issues later. This is well known for transitioning on and off fodder beet. Fodder beet’s levels of protein, calcium and phosphorous are known to be lower than ideal for a dry cow. Other winter crops, such as kale and swedes, also have a lower ideal mineral profile versus requirements in dry cows. Anaemia or ‘red water’ on kale happens mainly in animals who have not well transitioned. A shortage of elemental copper and selenium in these animals can make the situation even worse. Extra mineral supplementation on these winter crops is often required to prevent animal health issues and control your animal’s performance.
That’s where Nutritech can help you. Nutritech has a range of DanMix®-products, which offer free access minerals to supplement different classes of stock in a cost effective and convenient way. Lactating cows, dry stock and young stock can all benefit from some extra trace minerals over these winter period transitions and mineral challenges. The DanMix® loose lick range can supplement trace minerals in an organic or inorganic form to suit every customer and situation. There is also the possibility to customize the DanMix® loose mix specific to your farm, for example by adding in Levucell®SC to the mix. Levucell®SC is a live yeast which aids in the NDF degradability of forages and reduces rumen pH swings, and therefore the risk if SARA (subacute ruminal acidosis).
DanMix® can supply extra magnesium for dry cows, as well as other trace minerals like cobalt, copper, calcium, phosphorous, selenium and iodine. Young stock and bulls have their own recommended trace element requirements; therefore, they have their own specific DanMix® free access mineral mix. Even sheep, goats, and deer are not forgotten by Nutritech!
The macro and micro minerals in DanMix® help to ensure that animals can absorb the right quantities of minerals regardless of any diet. For more information on how DanMix® minerals can help your stock achieve its goals over winter and help with transition on to winter crops, or if you prefer a more personalised mineral approach, call your local Nutritech Area Manager.