Animax - News

Optimising growth rates at grass is essential in both dairy and beef youngstock but mineralising these animals post-turnout has long been a challenge on grass-based systems.

But thanks to extensive research by UK veterinarian, Les Porter, of Animax Ltd, a solution is now available in the form of a slow-release trace element bolus.

Tracesure Cu/I not only delivers six months worth of selenium, cobalt, copper and iodine but it reduces labour inputs because the boluses can be administered at the same time as cattle are wormed before turnout.

Peter Delbridge, who runs a suckler herd on the edge of Exmoor, farms in an area that lacks key trace elements and has a high rainfall level.
By using Tracesure Cu/I he says he only needs to handle the stock once at turnout. “I’m always quite keen on using things that need less labour. If we can do things more efficiently then it’s bound to be better,’’ says Mr Delbridge, of Blindwell Farm, near South Molton.

Lloyd Picton-Davies, who runs 120 Holstein Friesians and 50 Jerseys cows in Carmarthenshire, started bolusing the stock 18 months ago at the same time as he treated them for worms and fluke. “It’s the complete package,’’ says Mr Picton-Davies, of Asgood Farm, St Clears.

Every animal is given Tracesure Cu/I, including the youngstock at turnout and again at housing. “There is no red tinge on their coats any longer, black and white is black and white. They are getting copper as well as iodine, selenium and cobalt from the boluses and they stay in the cow’s system for six months,’’ says Mr Picton-Davies.

In neighbouring Pembrokeshire, dairy producer, Robert Lawrence, who runs a herd of 230 milking cows, has seen improvements in the growth of dairy heifers since bolusing at turnout.

“Sometimes we have missed bolusing a few before turning the heifers out to grass and I always know which ones they are because the colour of their coats makes them stand out from the rest of the herd,’’ says Mr Lawrence.
“The heifer replacements and the cows are the most valuable animals on the farm and anything we can do to improve their health status we try to do.’’

For beef producer Andy Ryder, who produces Belgian Blue cattle, Tracesure Cu/I is the ideal solution for mineralising cattle at grass.
Mr Ryder, who farms in Dumfriesshire, boluses his herd with Tracesure Cu/I before turnout and again before winter housing. If the calves are big enough – 200kg-plus – they get a bolus too.

“The Blues are heavily muscled which can leave them short of selenium so it’s important they get that supplement,’’ says Mr Ryder. “We had tried a competitor’s product but Tracesure Cu/I is better overall for what we want.’’
Research by Les Porter in the development of Tracesure Cu/I centred on the need for heifers to be big enough at 15 months to stand the bull to ensure calving at two years old.

On 24-month spring calving systems, heifers graze for two summers before calving, firstly as calves and secondly as bulling heifers. For optimum growth rates and utilisation of feed, diets need to be supplemented with trace elements.

Mr Porter says Tracesure Cu/I allows optimum absorption over a long period of time.

Tracesure calf triple pack boluses supply calves with up to six months worth of selenium, cobalt, iodine and copper. These can be given to calves once they are ruminating, usually as they are weaned onto grass. Larger or older heifers over 200kg can be given Tracesure Cu/I.

Competition winner was Christopher Crea, of Park Road, Strangford, with John Patterson, of Crumlin, in second place. The third prize went to Brian Hayes, of County Cork. All three won Tracesure Cu/I boluses and bolusing guns supplied by Animax Ltd.
Tracesure Cu/I guarantees a slow release of iodine, selenium, copper and cobalt for up to six months.
Sam Thompson, Animax’s representative in Northern Ireland, says the company was delighted with the level of support generated by the competition. “The farmers who took part appreciate the importance of keeping stock healthy and although many of them already use our boluses it will give the winners an opportunity to try them out,’’ he said.



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	Labour-saving bolus maximises youngstock growth rates at grass
	Optimising growth rates at grass is essential in both dairy and beef youngstock but mineralising these animals post-turnout has long been a challenge on grass-based systems.
	But thanks to extensive research by UK veterinarian, Les Porter, of Animax Ltd, a solution is now available in the form of a slow-release trace element bolus.
	Tracesure Cu/I not only delivers six months worth of selenium, cobalt, copper and iodine but it reduces labour inputs because the boluses can be administered at the same time as cattle are wormed before turnout.
	Peter Delbridge, who runs a suckler herd on the edge of Exmoor, farms in an area that lacks key trace elements and has a high rainfall level. By using Tracesure Cu/I he says he only needs to handle the stock once at turnout. “I’m always quite keen on using things that need less labour. If we can do things more efficiently then it’s bound to be better,’’ says Mr Delbridge, of Blindwell Farm, near South Molton.
	Lloyd Picton-Davies, who runs 120 Holstein Friesians and 50 Jerseys cows in Carmarthenshire, started bolusing the stock 18 months ago at the same time as he treated them for worms and fluke. “It’s the complete package,’’ says Mr Picton-Davies, of Asgood Farm, St Clears.
	Every animal is given Tracesure Cu/I, including the youngstock at turnout and again at housing. “There is no red tinge on their coats any longer, black and white is black and white. They are getting copper as well as iodine, selenium and cobalt from the boluses and they stay in the cow’s system for six months,’’ says Mr Picton-Davies.
	In neighbouring Pembrokeshire, dairy producer, Robert Lawrence, who runs a herd of 230 milking cows, has seen improvements in the growth of dairy heifers since bolusing at turnout.
	“Sometimes we have missed bolusing a few before turning the heifers out to grass and I always know which ones they are because the colour of their coats makes them stand out from the rest of the herd,’’ says Mr Lawrence. “The heifer replacements and the cows are the most valuable animals on the farm and anything we can do to improve their health status we try to do.’’
	For beef producer Andy Ryder, who produces Belgian Blue cattle, Tracesure Cu/I is the ideal solution for mineralising cattle at grass. Mr Ryder, who farms in Dumfriesshire, boluses his herd with Tracesure Cu/I before turnout and again before winter housing. If the calves are big enough – 200kg-plus – they get a bolus too.
	“The Blues are heavily muscled which can leave them short of selenium so it’s important they get that supplement,’’ says Mr Ryder. “We had tried a competitor’s product but Tracesure Cu/I is better overall for what we want.’’ Research by Les Porter in the development of Tracesure Cu/I centred on the need for heifers to be big enough at 15 months to stand the bull to ensure calving at two years old.
	On 24-month spring calving systems, heifers graze for two summers before calving, firstly as calves and secondly as bulling heifers. For optimum growth rates and utilisation of feed, diets need to be supplemented with trace elements.
	Mr Porter says Tracesure Cu/I allows optimum absorption over a long period of time.
	Tracesure calf triple pack boluses supply calves with up to six months worth of selenium, cobalt, iodine and copper. These can be given to calves once they are ruminating, usually as they are weaned onto grass. Larger or older heifers over 200kg can be given Tracesure Cu/I.
	Stockjudging trio win Royal Ulster Winter Fair bolus competition Three farmers who correctly placed some of the world’s top Holstein cows in a virtual stockjudging competition have won a range of Animax trace element boluses to use on their own herds. The competition, run at the Royal Ulster Winter Fair and sponsored by leading animal health company, Animax Ltd, involved farmers placing in order of excellence six cows whose photographs were displayed on the Holstein UK stand. The cows had already been judged by John Gribbon, chair of Holstein UK. Farmers whose competition entries matched Mr Gribbon’s selection were included in a prize draw.
			Competition winner was Christopher Crea, of Park Road, Strangford, with John Patterson, of Crumlin, in second place. The third prize went to Brian Hayes, of County Cork. All three won Tracesure Cu/I boluses and bolusing guns supplied by Animax Ltd. Tracesure Cu/I guarantees a slow release of iodine, selenium, copper and cobalt for up to six months. Sam Thompson, Animax’s representative in Northern Ireland, says the company was delighted with the level of support generated by the competition. “The farmers who took part appreciate the importance of keeping stock healthy and although many of them already use our boluses it will give the winners an opportunity to try them out,’’ he said. Pictured at the Holstein UK stand are Sam Thompson, Animax representative in Northern Ireland, and John Martin, secretary and treasurer of Holstein NI and field development officer for Holstein UK.


	DONEGAL FARMERS MEETING REPORT (DEC 2010) Dairy farmers in Donegal who have experienced health issues in their herds resulting from trace element deficiencies learned more about the benefits of slow-release boluses at a recent meeting in Ballybofey. The meeting, organised by agricultural consultant, Marc McConnell, and attended by around 50 farmers, centred on Allsure boluses produced by Animax Ltd. Aled Davies, of Animax, answered queries ranging from how the boluses can help with issues associated with retained placentas and poor fertility and their benefits over free access minerals. Allsure guarantees a slow release of iodine, selenium, cobalt and copper for up to six months. Mr Davies explained that it is difficult for cows to get enough selenium from free access minerals because only a very small quantity can be added. Recommended levels of selenium – 0.55g mixed with five tonnes of feed - is equal to adding half a sachet of salt from a packet of ‘Salt ‘n Shake’ crisps.
			The boluses also ensure that the individual copper needs of cattle are not exceeded. 45g of copper mixed with five-tonnes of feed in a standard mixer wagon is the equivalent of adding a product the size and weight of a medium-size tomato. By delivering it to the cow through boluses it is absorbed slowly over six months and each cow gets what she needs. Dairy producer David Porter, who was at the meeting, started using Allsure on his spring-calving Holstein herd at Castlefin to combat problems associated with retained cleansings. He bolused 30 cows and of the 22 that had calved so far there had not been a single case of retained cleansings. “We used to have the vet in the yard five times a week because within four or five days of calving the cows would be very sick. The cows are much healthier since bolusing, I’m delighted with the way it is working,’’ said Mr Porter.






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