In a year when it will be crucial to maximise the use of home grown forages, knowing its nutritional composition is vital to ensure performance requirements are met, and to avoid costly supplementation with nutrients that are not required.

Fluctuations in regional soils, growth conditions, fertiliser application and leaching can all effect the mineral status of grass and subsequent silage. Regular analysis is therefore key to allow accurate rationing and targeted mineral supplementation to maximise animal productivity.

Having recently surveyed a cross section of customers in the Scottish Borders, South Lanarkshire and Northumberland to assess silage mineral status, the results are reassuring that Harbro minerals meet animal requirements and boost performance in a cost effective and responsible way.

Macro minerals play a large and diverse role in animals and are required in large quantities. The grass silage that was sampled in the recent survey showed that phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and sulphur levels were relatively good and consistent with the UK five-year average.

Calcium fluctuated from farm to farm although overall was close to the UK five-year average. Calcium is an extremely important element involved in multiple body systems, from muscle function and bone growth, to milk production.

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Sodium was relatively low, sitting below the UK five-year average. Sodium plays a vital role in all other mineral absorption, maintaining body pH and fluid balance. Sodium can also effect feed intakes and stimulate saliva production, acting as a natural rumen buffer to reduce the risk of acidosis, which is especially important in finishing cattle and lambs.

Trace elements also have an array of important functions within the body, although they are required in lower quantities than macro minerals. These are commonly low in forage in Scotland and the north of England, meaning supplementation with correctly formulated mineral packs is essential.

The survey found copper, cobalt, zinc, and iodine to be low and below the UK five-year average, which could impact fertility, liveweight gain, hoof and hair condition, tissue repair and immunity. Selenium was higher than expected, although still inadequate and requiring supplementation, particularly at times of high demand such as pre-calving and lambing, to boost immunity, fertility, colostrum quality and calf and lamb vigour.

Heavy metals such as aluminium, iron, molybdenum and lead can lock up minerals and stop them being absorbed. In the survey, heavy metals fluctuated from farm to farm, with some individual farms well over the five-year UK average. This highlights the importance of individual forage analysis to flag up any farm-specific problems. For example, high molybdenum levels can reduce copper uptake which will negatively impact fertility and animal health.

Mineral sources vary in their availability for absorption, and across the Harbro range, all minerals, trace elements and vitamins have been selected for high bio availability, allowing them to be readily absorbed and utilised.

Overfeeding minerals can be costly and put animals at risk of toxicity. Conversely, under feeding can reduce health and performance and result in an inefficient and unprofitable enterprise. This means a targeted feed rate is important and should be calculated annually.

On farm success

James Craigs at Tritlington, Morpeth has been feeding our Super Suckler minerals for the past few years, particularly on the run up to calving and through to bulling.

Super Suckler SEC is a high specification mineral with key ingredients Sel-Plex, Cu-Tek and Zn-Tek, all included as highly bioavailable sources.

It ticks all the boxes for James, perfectly complementing his grass silage. James believes the mineral helps his cows to recover quickly after calving, keeping their feet right and ensuring they have plenty of milk to support their strong, healthy calves and get back in calf again.