‘Implementing the necessary management protocols is essential’

For farmers looking to build sustainable businesses, assessing every aspect of herd management to identify where improvements could result in higher yields, better welfare and fertility and greater longevity is key.

Huw McConochie, research nutritionist with Zinpro, believes a holistic approach is required to tackle common cow health problems but correct nutrition, including trace elements, is an important part of the picture.

He says: “When looking to tackle performance issues in dairy herds, it is clear cows are often kept in challenging environments.

Correcting these problems can require significant investment in the longer term, which is not always possible.

“Conversely, addressing operational elements of the system and nutritional deficiencies can be acted upon immediately and can play a significant role in improving lifetime performance.”

Dr McConochie says more progressive farmers appreciate the importance of proactive cow management, especially during the transition phase.

“Transition diseases are a consequence of late lactation nutrition and management during the dry period which predisposes the cow to an increased risk of a poor transition into lactation.

Excessive inflammation in transition dairy cows is the link between inadequate cow management and transition diseases but by the time it is evident, it is usually too late.

“Controlled inflammation is a normal part of transition as cows overcome the rigours of parturition and settle into milk production.

“In contrast, uncontrolled inflammation is associated with over-conditioning, excessive body weight loss, infections such as mastitis and metritis, and damage to tissues associated with conditions such as acidosis and lameness.

Oxidative stress is also a major challenge for transition dairy cows.

“Feeding a performance trace mineral supplement, such as Zinpro’s Availa-4, provides a combination of trace elements which are vital for immunity, reproduction, skin and hoof integrity, growth and muscle development, milk production, rumen health and energy metabolism,” he says.

Organic zinc, manganese and copper are the main constituent elements in the product and together with selenium they are essential components of the anti-oxidant defence system.

Dr McConochie says: “Although demand for trace minerals declines during lactation, it is worth remembering the foetus will be growing.

In the final stages of pregnancy, the dam will be expending additional resources to support calf development, so it is vital to continue supplementing during this period.

“Similarly, at peak lactation, the cow’s level of metabolism is so high, it is vital to have an adequate supply of the elements she needs because otherwise she may begin to deplete her reserves which will have an adverse impact.”