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Why do we need Mineral Supplements? The supply of minerals, trace elements and vitamins to the high yielding dairy cow, should be regarded as an integral part of nutrition of equal importance to energy and protein supply. Mineral, trace element and vitamin supply can have a profound effect on production levels, as well as on herd health and fertility of high yielding cows. |
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Mineral nutrients are used in countless metabolic pathways within the dairy cows body. Even small mineral deficiencies can result in sub-optimal cow performance. Minerals affect many areas associated with massive financial costs to the dairy industry. These would include lameness, clinical mastitis, high somatic cell counts, retained placenta, fertility, milk fever, general immunity and overall herd health and longevity of the dairy cow. |
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Minerals that meet Requirements A planned approach to
mineral nutrition is essential to ensure efficient and profitable milk
production. It is no longer acceptable, profitable or desirable to do
nothing and leave mineral requirements to chance. Equally it is
no longer acceptable to feed a standard off the shelf mineral with out
first checking that the cows requirements are met. Remember as well
that that summer grazing contains no higher levels of mineral, than the
grass silage fed during the winter. Cows mineral requirements do not
drop in the summer. |
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The Role of Protected Minerals Most mineral deficiency in the UK, is not due to primary deficiency or a lack of a particular mineral nutrient, but rather is due to secondary mineral deficiency caused by mineral interactions with high levels of one mineral nutrient acting as an antagonist preventing the absorption or "locking up" another mineral nutrient. This is why feeding high levels of inorganic or non-protected minerals often fails to have the desired result and may even be detrimental to the cow. There are various forms of organic or protected minerals available which can be used to overcome many of these mineral interaction problems. Protected trace elements are formed by chemically combining an inorganic mineral with an amino acid, protein or other organic compound to form a chelate, proteinate or complex, examples are: Optimins Copper, Zinc Bioplex, or Manganese Metalosate. In the case of Selplex, Selenium is contained in the protein of yeast cells. Protected minerals are digested along with their carrier rather than as an inorganic salt. Different protected sources vary markedly, some types being much more effective than others. Whilst they are more expensive than inorganic sources of mineral protected minerals are far more effective. Additionally much lower levels are required, which avoids undesirable interactions caused by feeding high levels of inorganic minerals. Our approach to Balancing Mineral Requirements Richard Webster Nutrition specializes in the supply of custom mix minerals for high yielding dairy cows. We place great emphasis on specifically formulating our minerals to meet the nutritional requirements of individual dairy herds. Formulations are based on mineral levels shown by mineral forage assays together with mineral contribution from the rest of the diet. This is done using our own advanced computer software developed by Richard Webster specifically for UK conditions. This approach allows effective supplementation meeting the requirements of modern high yielding cows even in the presence of major trace element 'lock up' problems widely seen in the UK. We have successfully overcome mineral associated problems on a wide range of dairy farms, as well as in most cases offering considerable cost savings. |
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Our Products RWN Mineral Supplements are manufactured by Trouw Nutrition UK in Cheshire. Trouw Nutrition is a global market leader. Trouw Nutrition are a highly innovative research based company with access to world class research facilities. Trouw Nutrition specialize in ruminant nutrition and supply a full range of high quality products including Cuprex 5, Sopralin, MaxFat, Butter Boost and Optimins. |
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RWN Mineral Supplements are available both as In Feed and as Free Access powdered minerals as well as in Free Access Molassed Buckets. We also supply a full range of straight minerals including rock salt, calcined magnesite, magnesium chloride, limestone flour, dical phosphate, sodium bicarbonate and copper sulphate. Making best use of the wide range of feeds available is an area where our nutritional expertise is of particular benefit to our customers |
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Richard Webster Nutrition Ltd offers a full nutritional support package free of charge to our customers along with the most extensive range of high quality feed inputs available. |
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Working together for a more profitable future |
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