The idea that simply improving the source of trace minerals in a herd nutrition programme can improve conception rates by 20% is jarring for a lot of folks. The knee-jerk reaction is, “How?!”. How can nutrition improve herd reproduction by 20%, especially if a herd is already achieving overall pregnancy rates above 90%? The answer…
22
Jun
Jun
Minerals are important in the body for growth, reproduction, and maintenance of health. In a way, the body can be seen as a camera, with minerals as the focus button. While you can still take pictures without using the focus button, they will probably not come out very well. The body needs minerals to function…
14
Aug
Aug
Main photograph by Wikus van der Merwe. The 2019 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle (ARSBC) Conference held from 20–21 August in Knoxville, Tennessee in the USA, provided not only applied strategies, but also an inside look at recent research findings. Here are my top 10 takeaways. 1. Know where you’re going and decide how…
01
Dec
Dec
One of the most important resources for a beef farmer is the animal’s immune system. An animal cannot be efficient or productive if its immune system is ineffective, but with a strong immune system, a herd can weather most proverbial storms. That’s why optimising immunity for lifetime performance is so important. Interactions between the immune…
15
Oct
Oct
Nutritionists are well informed of the critical role trace mineral nutrition plays in maintaining animal immune function, energy metabolism, reproductive function and overall performance. With the myriad of information available with regards to chemical structure, bioavailability, and animal performance data, selecting the most effective supplement is challenging. Even though trace minerals may make up a…