Veterinarians are encountering more mineral issues than ever.
This is in spite of greatly increased knowledge and the availability of better mineral supplements. It also runs against the trend to more collaboration between nutritionists, feed mills, veterinarians and other agricultural professionals.
Why is this?
There is no doubt the BSE problem took its toll on farmers, and some have skimped in different ways to save money. Some have used no minerals while other have used only salt or perhaps fortified salt.
Deficiencies are now coming to light.
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If clinical deficiencies of one mineral are diagnosed, others are close to deficient.
As well, one or two cases in a herd means the majority of their herd mates will be subclinically deficient.
We have seen two herd cases of vitamin A deficiencies in the past year that resulted in ill, thrift and small, weak calves. Others went on to develop nervous disorders.
This diagnosis was substantiated in both herds. It was also determined that minerals were not being given in both cases.
The occasional case still occurs if only free-choice minerals are given.
That’s because individual cows consume certain minerals to varying degrees. Some over-consume, some under-consume and some consume virtually no minerals at all.
Nutritionists assume there is nothing in the feed when they calculate the formulation of minerals. Of course, some minerals and vitamins are found in the feed, which provides a buffer in case minerals are not consumed adequately.
The best way to provide vitamins and minerals is to mix them daily in the feed, which is what is called a total mixed ration. That way every cow, heifer or feedlot animal consumes adequate amounts as long as they are eating.
More milk fevers and phosphorus or magnesium deficiencies are seen in heavier milking animals. These mineral deficiencies, or combination of deficiencies, often result in downer cattle slightly before, slightly after or even during calving.
Pre-calving minerals should have lots of phosphorus and magnesium.
The good news about these downer cows is that most respond when a veterinarian administers a large volume of the three main minerals: calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
Veterinarians may also recommend looking at a herd’s mineral program to prevent other cases. If there is only one case, it may simply mean that an individual cow is not consuming any minerals.
Feed mills usually formulate three to four different minerals and place them into categories such as pre-calving, breeding, maintenance, pasture and winter mineral.
Each formula is different to match the animal’s needs at a particular time, but the important thing to remember is that cattle need some sort of mineral year round.
All trace minerals have 40 to 50 percent salt, which is fine. The salt is often what attracts the cattle.
This is a lot different than a trace mineralized salt, either loose or block form, where the main ingredient is salt with just a few trace minerals added. The major minerals are not included.
A vast percentage of Western Canada is deficient in selenium, so this must be supplemented as well.
Copper can also be low, especially in Alberta’s Peace region.
Dr. Cheryl Waldner’s study of calf deaths across Western Canada found that many were deficient in vitamins A and E and copper.
Some producers are giving vitamin E capsules to high-risk calves along with shots of vitamins A and D and selenium. These vitamins and minerals are necessary for a proper functioning immune system as well as for growth and health.
Calves with specific deficiencies are only the tip of the iceberg. Other calves could be getting sick from scours and pneumonia when in fact a subclinical mineral deficiency may be the precursor to their sickness.
It’s good to try a small amount of minerals in your creep areas. Any amount that the calves consume will be beneficial.
Maintain the mineral and vitamin status of cow herds and calves on feed. The money spent doing this is returned several fold by the reduced number of sick calves, quicker response to treatment, better performance and improved reproductive rate.
You might even cut down on emergency veterinary visits.
