Water Soluble OPTiMIN's

Welcome to HVS Animal Health.

The Need For Trace Minerals

Trace minerals play a crucial role in the nutrition of the modern high-yielding dairy cow through their broad involvement in metabolism, the reproductive and immune systems and in the development and repair of skin and hoof tissues. Deficiencies in these elements contribute to many of the problems which can penalise performance and profitability of the dairy herd - poor fertility, increased susceptibility to infection, rising somatic cell counts amd foot problems. These are estimated to reduce annual income in a 100 cow herd by around £16,000.

The OPTiMIN range of chelated trace minerals provides a highly available source of these important nutrients, enhancing absorption and effectiveness. Their use in feed and mineral supplements has been consistently shown in trials and on-farm to help:

reduce somatic cell count

Farmer Case Study

Mr Sam Allen runs 250 commercial Friesians and followers on 320 acres at Aghadowey, Co. Londonderry. An ongoing problem with high cell counts prompted Sam to start using a TMR mineral containing OPTiMINs in autumn 1995. This helped reduce cell counts from over 400,000/ml to below 150,000/ml whilst cows were housed. However, cell counts were still climbing to unacceptable levels over the summer grazing period when cows were not receiving concentrates or TMR, and an effective means of getting trace minerals into the cows was needed.

Supplying soluble OPTiMIN chelated minerals via the drinking water seemed the ideal answer. Since starting with soluble OPTiMIN ZMCS in April 1997, cell counts have been cut to a low of 127,000/ml, smoothing the cell count profile over the year and helping ensure Sam remains within the premium milk quality band year round, worth about £1,500.

Mr Sam Allen

OPTiMINs can help:

For more information contact HVS Animal Health

FREEPHONE 0800 0345 660
HVS Animal Health, 27 Inch Abbey Road, Downpatrick, Co Down BT30 9AT

Tel: 028 4461 2678 ---- Fax: 028 4461 4801 ---- info@hvsanimalhealth.com

	The Need For Trace Minerals Trace minerals play a crucial role in the nutrition of the modern high-yielding dairy cow through their broad involvement in metabolism, the reproductive and immune systems and in the development and repair of skin and hoof tissues. Deficiencies in these elements contribute to many of the problems which can penalise performance and profitability of the dairy herd - poor fertility, increased susceptibility to infection, rising somatic cell counts amd foot problems. These are estimated to reduce annual income in a 100 cow herd by around £16,000. The OPTiMIN range of chelated trace minerals provides a highly available source of these important nutrients, enhancing absorption and effectiveness. Their use in feed and mineral supplements has been consistently shown in trials and on-farm to help: reduce somatic cell count improve fertility increase hoof strength immune function
	Trace Mineral Supplementation Ensuring dairy cows are well supplied with trace minerals in winter is easily achieved through feeding concentrates and mineral supplements in TRM's or on forage. However, as concentrate feeding in the grazing season is reduced the intake of supplementary trace minerals is likewise diminished. With public data showing that grass is generally a poor source of these minerals the difference in supply between the housed and grazed periods can be very marked, although milk output may in fact vary very little. At the same time there is a trend for somatic cell counts to rise through the summer months, meaning for many producers that they may fail to qualify for the premium on milk hygiene quality. Overcoming the potential shortfall in summer trace mineral supply can be readily achieved through drinking water supplementation. New soluble OPTiMINs dissolve completely in water and can be added to drinking water on-farm as an easily prepared stock solution or via ready made proprietary liquid supplements.
	Usage Recommendations The soluble OPTiMIN range comprises individual trace mineral preparations for use where specific deficiencies are indicated. However, for the convenience of general supplementation, the ZMCS premix supplies a blend of zinc, manganese, copper and selenium. The target usage rate of 5g / cow / day supplies: 400mg zinc 100mg copper 200mg manganese 2mg selenium soluble OPTiMINs are administered through a dispenser as a stock solution. To prepare this you will need: graduated plastic measuring jug clean plastic bucket and stirrer (e.g. plastic spoon) 5 litre capacity screw-top plastic container screw-in dispenser unit Add 500 grams (0.5kg) per 100 cows, measured in the graduated jug, to warm (not hot) water in the bucket. Stir until fully dissolved and transfer to the 5 litre container. Make up to almost 5 litres with cold water, leaving a two inch head space. Screw in the dispenser unit and invert into the water trough (see diagram). The dispenser will empty over a 16 hour period, giving all stock access over time. Ensure that paddock grazed stock have access to supplemented drinking water on entering a new paddock. It is advised that the stock solution is prepared daily. Packaging For on-farm use soluble OPTiMIN ZMCS is supplied in 25kg packages, containing 5x5kg packs, sufficient in total for 50 days to supply a 100 cow herd. WARNING --- as the product contains copper ensure that supplemented water troughs are NOT accessible to sheep.


	Farmer Case Study Mr Sam Allen runs 250 commercial Friesians and followers on 320 acres at Aghadowey, Co. Londonderry. An ongoing problem with high cell counts prompted Sam to start using a TMR mineral containing OPTiMINs in autumn 1995. This helped reduce cell counts from over 400,000/ml to below 150,000/ml whilst cows were housed. However, cell counts were still climbing to unacceptable levels over the summer grazing period when cows were not receiving concentrates or TMR, and an effective means of getting trace minerals into the cows was needed. Supplying soluble OPTiMIN chelated minerals via the drinking water seemed the ideal answer. Since starting with soluble OPTiMIN ZMCS in April 1997, cell counts have been cut to a low of 127,000/ml, smoothing the cell count profile over the year and helping ensure Sam remains within the premium milk quality band year round, worth about £1,500.	Mr Sam Allen OPTiMINs can help: reduce cell counts increase conception rates improve hoof strength immune function
	For more information contact HVS Animal Health FREEPHONE 0800 0345 660 HVS Animal Health, 27 Inch Abbey Road, Downpatrick, Co Down BT30 9AT Tel: 028 4461 2678 ---- Fax: 028 4461 4801 ---- info@hvsanimalhealth.com