Trace elements are essential for the overall health, immunity and growth of cattle.
We talk about trace elements a lot for your dairy cows, but sometimes youngstock can be forgotten about!
When trace element status is in the optimal range, it gives animals the best chance at fighting off other diseases and parasites.
Along with excellent nutrition, trace elements like copper and selenium should be at the top of your mind for ensuring the ideal growth and health of your youngstock.
Copper
Copper is an essential part of many enzymes involved in a range of functions, including bone and tissue, skin and hair pigmentation, red blood cell production, immune function and growth.
Copper deficiency can be confusing, as there are a lot of other factors that can interfere with copper absorption, such as high molybdenum in the soil, zinc levels, sulfur and more.
Copper deficiency can show up as:
Poor growth rates (ill-thrift)
Diarrhoea
Loss of coat colour/scruffy appearance
Immunosuppression
Anaemia
Bone abnormalities.
Supplementation options
Copper bullet
This contains copper oxide rods that are slowly released over time. Bullets provide about 6 months’ protection and, without any information about current copper levels, are the safest option.
Copper injection
This is absorbed rapidly through the skin where it is then taken to the liver for storage. The injection also provides about 6 months’ protection, however, due to the rapid absorption there is a higher risk of toxicity.
Note: if feeding palm kernel it is naturally high in copper. Not all cattle absorb copper at the same rate, so extra supplementation, especially via injection, could lead to toxicity if they have palm kernel in their diet.
Do not give more than one type of copper supplementation at the same time due to the risk of toxicity. If you think you missed an animal, do not repeat and risk giving them a double dose.
Selenium
Selenium is a vital component of a range of different enzyme processes in the body. It is essential for the immune system and growth of young animals.
Selenium deficiency can show up as:
Ill-thrift
More susceptibility to disease
Retention of winter coat.
Much of the soils used for farmland on the West Coast is deficient in selenium, so animals are unlikely to meet their daily requirements from pasture alone – this is where supplementation comes in, to ensure they are getting adequate levels.
Supplementation options
Selenised drench
This is a very short-acting option that does not normally provide enough selenium for the growth requirements of calves.
Selovin 5 or combined selenium/B12
This is a good short-acting formulation that lasts about 4-6 weeks.
Selovin LA
This is a great long-acting formulation that lasts around 9-10 months. It’s our recommended option for youngstock.
Supplement plan
Around weaning, when calves are 100kg minimum, we advise that all calves should receive a copper bullet and a Selovin LA selenium injection.
If you signed up to our Complete Calf Care plan, all the copper and selenium products needed for your calves will have been delivered to you already. If not, please get in touch with the clinic to get it sorted.
Let’s ensure your calves have the optimal trace element status to aid them as they grow!
