A refresher on pre-calving minerals
What price do you put on cows that calve down with no issues, no retained cleanings, plenty of milk, a vigorous calf, don't suffer from milk fever and most importantly, go back in calf?
That is the value you place on a good quality mineral. Every extra €200 per tonne of mineral will cost an extra €1.20 per cow for a 60-day period, so purchase a good one.
What mineral to feed
Ideally, you should mineral test your silage to see if you are particularly high or low in macro minerals or trace elements. This will also tell you if you have antagonists that may “lock” up minerals and if you should be feeding a protected mineral.
A common example is high molybdenum, which locks up copper. In this scenario, you can use what is called protected copper, which basically means that it is already bound at manufacturing to another compound allowing it to pass though the rumen and be absorbed in the small intestine.
If you do not test your silage at least ensure your mineral meets the requirements in Table 1 for macro minerals. Talk to your advisor for more information.
Table 1: Suckler cow requirements for macro minerals per calving
| Major elements | Required (g/day) | What you see on label | Feeding 100g/day | Feeding 120g/day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Magnesium (Mg) | 17-20g | 17% | 17g/day | 20g/day | If potassium levels are high in silage, you may need to increase to 30g. |
| Calcium (Ca) | 0 | 0-2% | 0 | 0 | |
| **Phosphorous (P) | 4.5g | 4.0% | 4g/day | 4.8g/day | >3% if feeding straw |
| Sodium (Na) | 15g | 13% | 13g/day | 16g/day |
The lower end of the scale is for routine feeding, the higher end is if you are advised if stock are at risk of a severe deficiency. *If potassium (K) levels are high in silage, you could have to increase Mg levels to 30- 40g. **If feeding straw ensure the P level is >3%.
Tips for feeding minerals:
- Feed 80-100g per day for a least 60 days pre calving - many problems with minerals are caused by feeding the incorrect rate for too short a time, not by the spec. of the mineral itself;
- To ensure you are right, measure out the total needed to feed each pen and adjust if the number of animals changes – it is a good practical guide to monitor the number of bags being used – a 25kg bag should feed 35 cows for one week;
- Dust on top of the silage in the morning and evening;
- Ensure all cows are able to feed at the same time.
This article first appeared in the December Beef Advisory Newsletter, which was edited by Martina Harrington, Manager of the Future Beef Programme. Access the entire publication here.
Also read: What should I be looking for in a pre-calving mineral?
Also read: Top tips on managing the suckler cow - pre and during calving