We look at how an Irish beef and sheep farmer cut down on calving issues and weak calves with the help of the ANIMAX Tracesure Cattle XL bolus.
Michael Mitchell is a second generation farmer in the west of Ireland; having taken the reins from his father at a very young age some 35 years ago.
Michael farms a mixture of grassland totalling 70 acres; 30 owned and 40 rented and leased.
“We run a small suckler enterprise of about 27 suckler cows, along with 40 ewes”, introduces Michael. “The cow type would be more of a continental heavy-ish type of cow. So, we have a mixture of breeds – Limousine, Belgium Blue, Simmental, and Salers”.
“We’re using 100 percent AI; inseminating as they come into heat. We’re running at a 389-day calving interval, which is higher than it should be, but our priority is on breeding quality. Our cows carry very good blood lines, and so I want to give them every chance to get in calf,” explains Michael.
“We keep good heifers for our own use and sell bull calves to the export market at 9 to 10 months. We push them fairly hard. We’d be grass and silage based but we’d be using very good quality concentrates,” says Michael.
The trace element challenge
In any given location, almost all forage is deficient in one or more essential trace elements. These include cobalt, copper, iodine, and selenium. All of which are all vital to digestion, immunity, reproduction, and growth. Grazing animals are often exposed to trace element antagonists that compromise trace element uptake and utilisation, especially when rainfall is high.
A deficiency can be most likely and most detrimental in the lead up to calving. As the gestation progresses, nutrient demands of the rapidly growing foetus increases. However, at the same time, the unborn foetus is also taking up more room in the mother, reducing the space for the rumen and consequently reducing her appetite and dry matter intake (DMI). It is important, therefore, to supply a moderately nutrient-dense diet to help meet those demands.
How Michael overcame the challenge
“Our ground here is very high molybdenum-based which was playing havoc on mineral availability. There was a major issue with calves being born with copper and iodine deficiency. We started using the Tracesure Cattle XL bolus with copper 6-weeks prior to calving, and that seems to have given us assurance on the job”.
“We cut calving issues, held placenta’s, and any weak or sleepy calves down to nothing. The stock hold in pretty good condition; they don’t melt away and don’t get lame even when carrying heavy muscle. Cows go on again and cycle quick after calving. It’s a big help on the backbone of the health of animals”.
“I know that when I give them the Tracesure Cattle XL bolus prior to calving – regardless of feed nutrition quality and variability – they are getting the right amount of the major four minerals every day to carry them through calving with that peace of mind”
“I’d now be very wary about not having them done. While it’s not a silver bullet, it’s putting that foundation base down. I can top it up from there as I need to. It’s a small price to pay for that bit of assurance”.
“On a practical level, the bolus isn’t too big or clumsy, and it’s very easy to give them to them”, concludes Michael.
Is a Tracesure Cattle bolus right for you?
Once the trace element status has been analysed, animals can be more precisely supplemented to counteract any trace element deficiencies.
Choosing the right mode of supplementation for your farm is multifaceted. It’s an important decision and there are numerous things to consider – proximity of grazing, the nutrition already provided, the breed, organic requirements, and labour availability, for example.
As the Tracesure bolus can be applicated in just seconds and then go on to cover an animal for up to 6 months, it’s a popular choice for more extensive systems, systems looking to make labour savings, and/or for farmers wanting to focus on other areas of the business.
Farmers can bolus at a time that fits with other tasks and/or in the lead up to times of pressure – such as breeding or calving/lambing. This will allow sufficient levels to build up and will give the animal a better of chance of getting in prime condition ready for the important event!
The Tracesure Cattle XL bolus is the only single application bolus on the market suitable for cattle weighing 500kg and over. Available from 5 pence or 6 cents per cow per day!
Interested in the Tracesure Cattle bolus?
Speak to your local advisor or find your local stockist.
