The sale of just two calves pays for a full year of pre-calver minerals for 100 cows

With the price of livestock rising, the value of pre-calver minerals is better than ever.

Pre-calver minerals are vital for preventing metabolic disorders in the cow, such as milk fever and retained cleanings, and for ensuring the birth of healthy, vigorous calves with strong immune systems. They should be fed for at least 6-8 weeks prior to calving to allow adequate levels to build up in the cow’s system.

Forages like silage often lack key minerals and contain “antagonists” (e.g., high potassium) that interfere with mineral absorption, making supplementation essential.

Key Benefits for the calf

· Ensures Healthy Calves: Proper maternal mineral status in late pregnancy directly translates to the calf’s health and vitality at birth. It helps prevent issues like still births, white muscle disease, and general weakness.

· Improves Colostrum Quality: Key vitamins and trace elements like selenium (Se) and vitamin E are transferred to the colostrum, boosting the newborn calf’s passive immunity against diseases like scour and pneumonia. Some formulations will also have added ingredients to boost colostrum quality and colostrum yield. https://uniblock.ie/product/lifeline-precalver-mineral/

· Animal performance and longevity: Good colostrum along with transition milk ensures animals perform to their genetic potential.

Key benefits for the Cow

· Prevents Milk Fever (Hypocalcaemia): Magnesium is the most important mineral for dry cows as it is critical for mobilising the cow’s own calcium reserves around calving time. Inadequate magnesium leads to milk fever, a “gateway disorder” that increases the risk of other health problems.

· Reduces Post-Calving Health Problems: A balanced mineral program reduces the incidence of retained placentas (cleanings), displaced abomasum, ketosis, and uterine infections, leading to lower veterinary costs and a healthier, more productive herd.

· Enhances Future Fertility and Production: By avoiding metabolic stress and ensuring cows calve in the correct mineral status, they are more likely to return to cyclicity and go back in calf sooner, improving overall farm profitability.

Key Minerals and Considerations

Limiting both calcium and phosphorous is key to improving the release of calcium from the cows skeleton to provide calcium for colostrum.

Mineral- Importance and Function

Magnesium (Mg) Critical for calcium metabolism and preventing milk fever; high potassium in forage can be an antagonist.

Selenium (Se) & Vitamin E Work in synergy to support immune function in both the cow and calf.

Iodine (I) Essential for calf thrift and vitality; deficiency can cause weak or stillborn calves with goitre.

Copper (Cu) & Zinc (Zn) Important for immunity, fertility, hoof health, and general growth; using protected (organic) forms can improve absorption.

Calcium (Ca) Dry cow minerals should contain low calcium to force the cow to mobilise her own stores, preventing milk fever post-calving.

Feeding Recommendations

· Timing: Feed for the last 6 to 8 weeks of pregnancy.

· Method: Powdered minerals top-dressed on silage is a common and effective method, ensuring an even intake. Ensure adequate feed space and consider feeding twice daily.

· Rate: Generally, an intake of 100-120 grams per cow per day is recommended, depending on the product’s formulation.

· Forage Analysis: Test your specific silage for mineral content to select a supplement that precisely meets your herd’s needs and addresses any potential antagonists.