IS YOUR HERD’S TRACE MINERAL BALANCE OPTIMAL FOR JOINING AND CALVING?

Joining and calving place extra demands on your cattle. Making sure your heifers, cows and bulls have the right trace minerals and vitamins on board can help support their health, condition and reproductive performance when it matters most.

Trace mineral requirements can increase in the lead-up to joining and again before calving, so it is worth reviewing your herd’s nutrition plan early.

Why Trace Minerals Matter
Trace minerals and vitamins support many important functions in cattle, including:

• Growth and general wellbeing
• Immune function
• Fertility and conception
• Pregnancy maintenance
• Lactation and milk production
• Energy metabolism

Key trace minerals for cattle include copper, selenium, manganese, zinc and cobalt. Cobalt is particularly important because it helps cattle produce vitamin B12, which plays a key role in energy metabolism.

Cattle receive trace minerals from the pasture and soil they consume. However, mineral levels can vary considerably between regions, seasons and paddocks—meaning some livestock may not receive enough through grazing alone.

Could Your Herd Be At Risk?
Trace mineral deficiencies can occur in many parts of Australia. In southern regions, copper, selenium, zinc and cobalt deficiencies may be more common, while copper and cobalt deficiencies can also affect cattle in northern Australia.

A range of factors can influence mineral availability, including:

• Soil type and pasture quality
• Fertiliser use
• Seasonal conditions
• The animal’s age, stage of production and reproductive status

If you are unsure of the trace mineral status of your herd, speak with neighbouring producers, your local veterinarian or animal health adviser about known risks in your area. Soil, pasture and animal testing may also help identify potential deficiencies and guide a suitable supplementation program.

Supporting Cattle Before Key Events
When a deficiency or risk has been identified, there are several management options available. These can include pasture management, mineral blocks, oral drenches, capsules and injectable supplements.

Each option has different benefits. Injectable supplements can provide accurate dosing for each animal without relying on voluntary intake from blocks or supplements.

Marks-Min® Injectable Trace Mineral with Vitamin B12 for Cattle is formulated specifically for cattle and contains selenium, copper, zinc, manganese and vitamin B12. It may be used as part of a strategic herd health plan, with heifers, cows and bulls treated four weeks before joining, and heifers and cows treated again four weeks before calving.

Talk to your veterinarian or animal health adviser about the right mineral-management plan for your property and herd this season.

Always read and follow the product label. See the product label for full claim details and directions for use.

MARKS-MIN® is a registered trademark of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group.

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