Pre-Calving Mineral Boosts Colostrum Quality in Kilkenny Herd

A mineral supplement given to pregnant cows in the final six weeks before calving is boosting colostrum quality at a County Kilkenny dairy and suckler beef farm.

Family run farm focused on calf health

Dean Denieffe farms in partnership with his parents, Michael and Geraldine, and his brother, also named Michael. Together, they calve down a herd of 170 spring-calving British Friesians and 20 suckler cows on the outskirts of Bennettsbridge. Of these, they milk 140 cows year-round and sell surplus dairy stock.

Dean places strong emphasis on calf health, ensuring that each calf receives three to four litres of colostrum as soon as possible after birth.

Lifeline Pre-Calver

To support colostrum quality, Dean feeds Lifeline Pre-Calver mineral crumb, sourced from John Dalton and Sons, Kilkenny, starting six weeks before calving.

Immune support for cow and calf

Lifeline Pre-Calver contains immune-boosting ingredients to stimulate the cow’s immune system during the final weeks of pregnancy. This increases antibody levels in the colostrum.

“Uniblock have included levels of lactose, protected soya and a range of yeast products, these helps to improve the vitality of the calf and stimulates the immune system,” says Dr Amanda Dunn, of Uniblock.

Looking after the calf does not start when the calf hits the ground, but with the dry cow, she points out.

“Providing the dry cow with the correct vitamins and minerals is vitally important to the calf as these are then available in the colostrum,” Dr Dunn adds.

Diet and timing are crucial

For the Denieffes, the typical dry cow diet consists of silage, straw and beet. According to Dr Dunn, timing is essential when introducing the supplement.

“Six weeks pre-calving is the optimum period to provide Lifeline Pre-Calver as colostrum formation begins approximately five weeks prior to calving,” she explains.

Not only does it produce results, but intakes are good, Dean reports.

“The cows seem to really love the Lifeline Pre-Calver, it is very palatable and there are no issues with getting good intakes,” he says.

Positive results and growing popularity

Dean first started using Lifeline Pre-Calver three years ago after a recommendation from John Dalton and Sons.

“Sales of Lifeline Pre-Calver have been strongly increasing over the years,” says Patsy Wilson, Sales Representative at John Dalton and Sons.

Their newest member of the team, Lisa Cullen, has received very positive feedback from customers and stated:

“Anyone who has used Lifeline Pre-Calver in the past really like it and will not move from the product.”

Protected sources of copper and zinc are included in the formulation instead of copper and zinc sulphates or oxides. These protected minerals are more bioavailable, palatable and result in better performance, intakes and efficiency.

Reducing post-calving health risks

Since introducing Lifeline Pre-Calver, the Denieffe herd have had no cases of milk fever. Getting the balance of nutrition right in the weeks prior to calving reaps benefits to the cow in the days post calving, says Dr Dunn. Post-calving is the most common period for cows to become ill due to metabolic diseases, partly resulting from their vulnerability when they have reduced immunity at the time of calving.

“If the pregnant cow is lacking in the necessary minerals and vitamins, there will be an increased risk of post-calving health issues such as retained cleanings, milk fever, ketosis, poor dry matter intakes, poor quality colostrum, displaced abomasum and fertility problems later on,” says Dr Dunn.

Uniblock offer a wide range of minerals for both Dairy and Beef stock in the Kilkenny area through John Dalton and Sons, Freshford Road, Kilkenny.