STRATEGIC supplementation of trace minerals in cattle utilising injectable technology is taking the nutrition management tool a big step towards ramping up production as opposed to just plugging deficiency holes.
One of the world’s leading experts in the field, United States technical services veterinarian Dr Bob Gentry, has been touring the East Coast outlining the latest research in cattle-related trace mineral science.
Dr Gentry has more than 35 years experience with a specific focus on beef cattle nutrition and reproduction.
The company he works with, Multimin USA, has been marketing a multi-mineral injectable product and Dr Gentry is in Australia as a guest of Virbac Australia.
Hundreds of producers, veterinarians, scientists and rural merchandisers have turned out to hear his talks at venues ranging from Mount Gambier to Rockhampton.
Speaking following presentations in the NSW Central West today, Dr Gentry said trace minerals provided the enzymes that regulate metabolism and hundreds of other bodily functions in an animal.
They were critical to improving fertility in both males and females and boosting the immune system, he said.
There are four major trace minerals: manganese, copper, zinc, and selenium.
Cobalt, iron and iodine are also watched closely by cattle nutritionists.
“Cattle are particularly challenged by getting trace minerals orally compared to a simple stomach animal which has higher absorption ability,” Dr Gentry said.
“Injection technology means not having to rely on the digestive system.
“We can increase their access to the minerals by as much as 50 per cent, depending on what the situation was in the start.
“It is quite variable but the idea is that feeding trace minerals takes from three to eight weeks to be effective, due to low absorption, where the injection process can have the same effect in 24 hours.”
Injectible products should happen in addition to oral programs, Dr Gentry said.
“It is a strategic tool, to be utilised at high demand times of the year,” he said.
“If we have an animal considered sufficient we can improve it heading into high demand times, such as ahead of weaning.”
Australian producers were certainly ‘on the front foot’ in terms of adopting the latest trace mineral science, with millions of head already in strategic supplementation programs, Dr Gentry said.
“What we are now realising about the use of trace minerals is that there is a lot more to gain than what we originally thought, particularly where it is used at different stages of production,” he said.
Livestock nutrition specialist with Virbac Australia Dr Jerry Liu said Australian producers had access to cutting edge, world-class information on trace mineral science via Dr Gentry’s talks.
