Nutritional requirements for specific vitamins and minerals vary depending on the animal’s weight, age, and pregnancy status. Woolms said needs may also vary depending on the animal’s breed and whether it is experiencing stress. Therefore, it is important to understand all the factors involved in each group of cattle you operate and work with your nutritionist and veterinarian to find the appropriate levels.
“Nutritional deficiencies can affect immunity and how an animal fights parasites, viruses, or anything that tries to infect it,” Woollams said. “Protein and energy are important in immunity, and adequate levels of the minerals zinc, copper, and selenium and vitamins A, E, and D.”
Many studies have been conducted relating zinc and immune levels, as zinc has been shown to be important in disease prevention by helping to produce white blood cells that fight infection. Animals with zinc deficiency often have impaired immune responses and poor health. Zinc supplementation often helps boost immunity in these animals.
“Producers have been asking if injectable minerals can help, and when we looked at those studies, we found that animals that were properly vaccinated and given injectable minerals had reduced respiratory infections. “We found some studies that show that,” she said.
Know about feed and pasture
Woolums suggests sampling all feed and forage used on your farm to see if it contains the right amount of minerals. If deficiencies are found, it is important to know how to supplement these animals. That could mean free-choice minerals or injectable minerals. It is also very important to know how one mineral affects the absorption or inhibition of other minerals. Testing the soil and water that cows run through pastures can also explain deficiencies and health problems.
“Making fact-based recommendations about whether supplementing vitamins and minerals will improve immunity, health, and performance in specific groups of calves depends on what you are working with. It’s not easy until you know,” she says. “A lot of research has been done on vitamins and minerals. Given all this, supplements should be considered to improve health and immunity.”
If you have health problems due to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, consult your veterinarian to determine what route may be beneficial for your animal.
Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com.
Follow her on X, @JennCattleGal, formerly known as Twitter.
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