As the South African winter is almost drawing to a close, maintaining the health and productivity of your livestock remains crucial. The end of winter is a critical period where nutritional quality and availability of natural forage are often at their lowest. This necessitates a continued and sometimes intensified focus on supplements, minerals, vitamins, and overall health management. Here’s a guide to what should be emphasised as winter ends.
Boosting Protein and Energy for Optimal Livestock Condition
As the forage quality typically deteriorates further, cattle may not receive adequate protein and energy from pasture alone. This deficiency can lead to weight loss and a decline in body condition, which can impact overall health and productivity.
High-protein supplements like Molatek’s Dryveld 46 50kg and Voermol’s SB100 50kg are essential for maintaining rumen function and promoting feed intake, which is critical as natural forage becomes less nutritious.
Maintain or increase the use of energy supplements, including grains and concentrates. These supplements are vital for providing the necessary calories that cattle need, especially pregnant or lactating cows, to maintain body condition and support energy demands. Pregnant and lactating cows require higher levels of nutrients to support foetal development and milk production. As winter ends, the nutritional needs of these cows must be met adequately to avoid complications. Add Voermol Premix 450 50kg to your feed to help achieve this.
Ensuring Adequate Mineral and Vitamin Intake
Mineral and vitamin levels in natural forage are typically at their lowest towards the end of winter. Cattle require adequate minerals and vitamins to support immune function, growth, and overall well-being.
Continue using mineral supplements and licks to provide essential minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium.
These minerals are crucial for various physiological processes, including bone health and immune function.
Highly recommended options include Virbac’s Multimin+SE+CU+CR and MSD’s Micromin B, which provides a comprehensive blend of essential minerals. This supplement helps ensure your cattle receive the necessary nutrients to maintain optimal health and vitality during this challenging period.
Ensure that vitamin A, D, and E supplements are still being provided. These vitamins are essential for maintaining immune function, bone health, and overall vitality, especially when forage lacks these nutrients. A great option for providing these essential vitamins is Antrovet’s Doravit Plus AD3E, which offers a comprehensive blend of vitamins A, D, and E, tailored to support your cattle's nutritional needs during this critical time.
Continuous Health Management
As winter transitions into spring, cattle can still be vulnerable to diseases like respiratory infections and parasitic infestations. The nutritional stress from the winter months can weaken their immune systems, making them more susceptible to illness. The following actions are recommended:
Regular Health Checks: Maintain vigilant monitoring for signs of respiratory diseases or other health issues. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent outbreaks.
Use of Antibiotics: Under veterinary guidance, administer antibiotics if necessary, particularly for treating respiratory infections, which can be more common during this period. Use market-leading products such as Kyron’s Maxitet-LA 500ml or Zoetis’ Terramycin LA 500ml.
Deworming: Continue deworming protocols with products like Afrivet’s Eradiworm + Tape 1L and Zoetis’ Valbantel 500ml to manage internal parasites. Parasites can thrive in confined conditions, making it essential to control them effectively.
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