The genetic make up of most British (and Irish) hill cattle ensure that they are hardy types which thrive on relatively ordinary pasture and forage. In these low input systems it is even more important not to ignore the trace element requirements of growing and breeding stock. It is clear that a well thought out supplementation regime can offer consider able benefits in terms of growth rates, improved general health and, importantly, improved fertility and reproductive performance.

There are a variety of ways in which livestock can be given trace elements:

·        Supplementing the ration

·        Free access blocks/licks etc

·        Oral drenching

·        Injections

·        Pasture dressing

·        Sustained release boluses

The relative merits of the above will depend upon individual management systems. If stock are to be reared off grass and forage, ration supplementation is not practical. Given current cereal prices, compound rations may not be commercially practical full stop. Free access products are popular but there are always questions about variation of intake from one animal to the next. Oral drenching and injections tend to be short term measures and, as such, are relatively expensive. Pasture dressing can also be very effective though is not practical on real hill pasture and the amount of rainfall will affect the take up of nutrients by the plant.

Sustained release boluses are a good option for suckler herds which are generally reared off grass and forage. Both growing and breeding stock could be candidates for boluses and because they deliver long term benefits, their use and application can easily be fitted in to most management regimes.

All-Trace trace element boluses from Agrimin last 6 or 8 months depending on the product used. Given this, it is practical to consider a 6 monthly dosing regime at turn-out and housing. For youngstock there is a smaller version of All-Trace called smAll-Trace which is perfect for calves up to 150kg and will still supply trace elements for a 6 month period.

Most breeders are also using All-Trace to ensure trace element intake over the breeding cycle. It is vital to give pregnant cows a consistent supply of trace elements in the run up to calving. Not only will they benefit the mother, but there is a good transfer of trace elements from mother to calf in the later stages of pregnancy. An added benefit is that maternal transfer of trace elements will also occur during the suckling period.

At calving, farmers are looking for a good, healthy calf, an easy clean calving and no retained placentas. Though trace elements do not provide all the answers in this regard, they can certainly help, particularly if there is an imbalance in selenium.

Just as important is the health of the mother when she is next ready to be served. Trace elements at this time are also vital to help ensure the best chance of early conception.

All-Trace will provide copper, cobalt, selenium, iodine, zinc, manganese and vitamins all day, every day for up to 8 months. There is also a high iodine version of All-Trace which still provides a full range of trace elements but with a higher level of iodine. In addition, there is an All-Trace bolus approved for use in organically reared cattle.

Managing the trace element status of your herd over an extended period with boluses ensures good health and gives you peace of mind that, all day, every day, your stock are receiving the supplementation they need.