February 2025 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 15 nation. Additionally, researchers in Japan discovered that beef calves from cows supplemented with organic trace minerals required fewer interventions for respiratory and gastrointestinal tract diseases compared to calves from un-supplemented cows. While trace minerals are clearly helping cows make better colostrum and healthier calves, it is important to note that there are differences in the sources of trace minerals available in the marketplace. Generally, trace minerals are categorized as inorganic or organic. Among these trace mineral categories, there are different sources with varying results attributable to colostrum production and calf health. Multiple studies have compared supplementing cows with an inorganic trace mineral source to an organic amino-acid complexed trace mineral source. Feeding cows organic amino-acid complexed trace minerals resulted in an average 28 percent increase in colostral immunoglobulin g content compared to feeding cows inorganic trace mineral sources (Figure 1). A study published in 2019 found colostrum yield was greater for Holstein cows supplemented with organic sources compared to control (no added TM) and inorganic sources. Additionally, the calves from cows fed diets with organic trace minerals had greater total serum antioxidant capacity and immunoglobulin concentrations at three days of age, indicating these calves are better equipped to handle stress and immune challenges. As calving season approaches, opportunity remains to enhance your cow herds’ capacity to produce optimal colostrum. Work with your nutritionist or feed company to determine the appropriate trace mineral program to prepare your cows for success. You can enter the calving season confidently by implementing these measures, trusting your cows are producing the highest quality colostrum necessary for maintaining calf health and profitability. ~NC~ 14.7z 36.3 47.7z 15.3y 28.6 0 20 40 60 Study 1 Study 2 Study 3 Study 4 Average Change in IgG Concentration, %a a % Change in IgG concentration for organic amino acid complexed trace minerals (Zinpro Corp., Eden Prairie, MN) over inorganic sulphate sources zP< 0.05; yP< 0.10; all stats are within study, not between studies. Figure 1: Organic amino acid complexed trace minerals increasecolostrum immunoglobulin G (IgG) content a % Change in IgG concentration for organic amino acid complexed trace minerals (Zinpro Corp., Eden Prairie, MN) over inorganic sulphate sources z P < 0.05; y P < 0.10; all stats are within study, not between studies.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTMxNTA5