As we all know, adequate trace minerals are vital for reproductive performance. Copper, Zinc, Manganese, and Selenium deficiencies can cause huge problems for mating outcomes. Therefore, most of you check the status and supplement these trace minerals to cows through their water or feed. 

But are these supplemented minerals in an organic or inorganic form? For example, is Copper supplemented as sulphate (inorganic) or chelated (organic) form? The form in which minerals are supplemented has an effect on milk production, fertility, and the growth of animals.

New research shows that cows fed organic trace minerals:

• Start oestrus activity after calving earlier (avg. 4.7 weeks) than inorganic supplemented cows (avg. 5.3 weeks).

• Had less postpartum diseases and the treatment seemed to work better (retained placenta, metritis, and mastitis)

• Had more antibodies in colostrum (better concentration of antibodies)

But even the form of minerals supplemented to young stock (R1 and R2’s) has an effect on their future life in the milking herd!

Heifers born to cows fed organic minerals calved 26 days earlier than heifers born from cows fed inorganic minerals. Organic minerals fed to heifers increased the first service conception rate by 7.5%, and the days to the first service reduced by 6.8 days. Also, organic minerals affected milk production with an extra 520kg more milk per lactation.

Supplementing trace minerals to dairy stock is good, but doing it in an organic form is even better!

If you want some more advice or want your mineral status checked, please give the clinic a call.