ANIMAX Tracesure® is certified by the Soil Association (UK) and Irish Organic Association for use on organic systems; meaning organic beef, dairy and sheep producers have access to the benefits of sustained precision trace element supplementation technology. 

Almost all grass and forage is deficient in one or more of the trace elements – cobalt, copper, iodine, and selenium. These trace elements work in tandem to satisfy the digestive, immune, reproductive and growth needs of cattle and sheep.

Not supplying enough of all these trace elements can manifest as costly clinical or subclinical health and production challenges at any time in the production cycle, but especially in times of increased pressure such as lambing or calving. However, supplying more than enough will either by-pass what an animal can physically absorb, or worse, cause toxicity. The risk of either eventuality on profit margins can now be minimised on organic systems through proactively bolusing.

ANIMAX Tracesure® has been scientifically engineered to give producers that all-important confidence that their cattle or sheep will always have enough essential trace elements – not too much and not too little, just enough. The technology features a unique mode of action that offers a precision release of trace elements selected to maximise utilisation by the animal.

Organic farming in the UK – 2023 data

• 498 thousand hectares were farmed organically
• 60% of UK organic land was in England, 23% in Scotland, 15% in Wales and 1.4% in Northern Ireland
• Permanent pasture (including rough grazing) accounted for 62% of organic land
• 10% of organic land in the UK was used to grow cereals (50 thousand hectares)
• 3.0% of cattle in the UK were reared organically
• There are 700,000 sheep currently in organic production
• There were a total of 5,230 organic operators

Organic farming in Ireland – 2023 data

• Over 4,000 farmers now farming organically
• 2,000 farmers entered conversion in January 2023 (two-year period before given organic status)
• The land area farmed organically is around 225,000ha or 5% of the total
• 70% of all organic producers involved in either cattle and/or sheep production
• 1,503 farmers in organic sheep production

Veterinary Director at ANIMAX, Elizabeth Berry BVSc MRCVS PhD, comments on the organic certification.

“What isn’t particularly well known within the sector, is that a cobalt, selenium, and iodine deficiency is quite likely in any grazing system, even within a well-managed production system. The organic certification of the ANIMAX Tracesure® range of boluses means that organic farmers now have a trace element supplementation option, in an easy to give bolus, for key times such as calving and lambing”, says Elizabeth.

Organic farming can be a profitable business – maintaining good output levels with lower production costs, while qualifying for premium market prices that can contribute to higher margins. Organic farming is also argued to be better for the planet; commanding less artificial intervention and promoting soil health. 

The ANIMAX Tracesure® certification applies to the full range of cobalt, iodine and selenium boluses:

• ANIMAX Tracesure® Lamb
• ANIMAX Tracesure® Sheep – the only organic certified bolus on the market! 
• ANIMAX Tracesure® Calf
• ANIMAX Tracesure® Cattle
• ANIMAX Tracesure® Cattle XL

While organic status is being sought for ANIMAX Tracesure® with copper over the coming months, ANIMAX advise that ANIMAX Tracesure® can be used in conjunction with ANIMAX Copinox medicinal capsules under derogation, as part of the flock health plan with the farm vet.

Organic farming schemes

ANIMAX Tracesure qualifies for a range of schemes in the UK and Ireland:

• Ireland: Sheep Improvement Scheme under the category ‘mineral supplementation of ewes post mating’. Farmers looking to improve the welfare of their flock are paid €12 per breeding ewe up until 31 December 2024 provided all actions are completed. 
• Ireland: Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) provides farmers who farm organic livestock or crops with financial support. The scheme started in 2024 and runs for 5 years. Applications have now closed. More information here.
• UK: Countryside Stewardship Scheme, Rural Grants and Payments, Sustainable Farming Incentive, plus many more listed here.

ANIMAX Tracesure® trial studies

• Bolusing with ANIMAX Tracesure Lamb increased DLWG by 50g a day and up to 3kg in the first 3 months.
• Bolusing with ANIMAX Tracesure Cattle increased DLWG by 30kg (14kg carcass weight) in 93 days.
• Bolusing with ANIMAX Tracesure® Cattle reduced incidences of retained cleansing by 6%.
• Bolusing with ANIMAX Tracesure® Cattle increased milk production in the first 100 days of lactation.

Note that your livestock management plan should include details of any additional feed products and supplements fed along with the reason for their use.

Contact your ANIMAX specialist or FIND YOUR LOCAL STOCKIST