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Tupping-advice on minerals & vitamins
Although required in much smaller amounts than energy and protein, minerals and vitamins have a huge effect on animal performance. Ensuring that both ewe and tup requirements for these essential nutrients are met is vital to optimise tupping success and ultimately lamb output.
In some situations, access to high-quality grazing might be sufficient to meet energy and protein requirements over the mating period, particularly for those tupping early on in the season, however it is highly unlikely to provide the correct levels of trace elements and vitamins needed to optimise reproductive success.
Grazing in Ireland and the UK is often deficient of sheep requirements for several key trace elements including selenium, iodine, cobalt and zinc. Furthermore the levels of these trace elements, in particular cobalt, typically decline over the summer months; this can have a number of implications for follicle development, ovulation rates, sperm production and quality.
Cobalt
- Required for the production of vitamin B12 in the rumen
- Cobalt/vitamin B12 is required for energy metabolism, in particular the production of glucose
- Essential for DNA synthesis and embryo growth
- Deficiencies shown to reduce ovulation rate and lamb vigour
Iodine
- Required for the production of the thyroid hormones which control energy metabolism and metabolic rate
- Essential for normal foetal growth and development
Selenium and vitamin E
- Work together as anti-oxidants supporting the immune system
- Support sperm quality and motility
- Deficiencies shown to reduce conception rates and lambing success
Zinc
- Required for almost every pathway in the body
- Particularly important for the immune system, skin and foot integrity
- Important for sperm production and quality, supporting conception rates.
- Protected forms of zinc, where the zinc is bound to an organic molecule, are highly available as they can bypass the rumen and be directly absorbed by the animal.
Providing a high-quality free-access supplement with 24/7 availability, with mineral buckets will help to ensure vitamin, mineral and trace element requirements are met over the crucial tupping period. by providing the full package of essential vitamins and minerals required to support ovulation rate, sperm production and quality, you can contribute to optimal conception rates and embryo survival. This includes good levels of selenium, cobalt and iodine to help overcome any potential deficiencies from forage as well as a protected source of zinc to support immune functioning and foot health.
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