When working to maximize fertility in cattle, cows are often the focus. However, bull fertility is a crucial consideration for any beef operation. Not only do bulls contribute to the genetic improvement of the herd, but bulls with poor fertility — or any characteristic that affects their ability to breed — can significantly reduce the pregnancy and weaning percentage of the cow herd, lowering productivity and profitability.

Many factors, including management, genetics and even nutrition, can impact both female and male fertility. The nutritional status of the bull, and even the nutritional status of his dam during her gestation with him, have been linked to the calf’s gains, age of puberty attainment, and even semen quality.

How trace minerals boost fertility

While proper energy and protein supplementation are key, the importance of trace minerals cannot be underestimated. These essential nutrients, including zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se), are known to be involved in hormone secretion and synthesis, and they are needed for the normal functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis (Watts, 1990).

Table 1. Function and deficiency symptoms directly related to reproduction in ruminants (Ewing and Charlton, 2007)

Functions

• Zn: Involved in production, storage and secretion of hormones that regulate several systems including immunity. Key constituent of insulin, testosterone and adrenal corticosteroids.
   
• Mn: Involved in cholesterol synthesis, insulin activity, and production of thyroxine, in addition to the production and synthesis of hormones including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
   
• Cu: Component of, or essential to the activity of, many enzymes, including those involved in immunity and reproduction.
   
• Se: Plays a role in the production of thyroxine hormone, which can affect growth rates. Promotes reproductive function.

Deficiencies 

• Zn: Zinc deficiency can impair sexual function, with lower conception rates, reduced testis growth and severely impaired spermatozoan maturation.
   
• Mn: Manganese deficiency can lower fertility in adults and lead to reproductive failure through impaired or irregular estrus, fetal reabsorption, or deformities.
   
• Cu: Copper deficiency can be associated with reproductive failure, including issues with reduced fertility, delayed or depressed estrus, abortion, and poor semen quality.
   
• Se: Poor selenium status contributes to reproductive disorders including cystic ovaries and metritis, as well as problems with estrus, ovulation, embryo fertilization and development. It can also impair sperm motility.

Trace minerals to support both cows and bulls

In areas where known trace mineral deficiencies exist, especially in regards to zinc, manganese, copper and selenium, supplementation with organic trace minerals (such as Alltech’s selenium yeast technology Sel-Plex® as well as its Bioplex® Cu, Mn and Zn) can be advantageous. Organic trace minerals, as opposed to commonly used inorganic types, are more bioavailable and thus better utilized by the animal. This is less wasteful and more efficient, and it helps to prevent harmful excretions of unused minerals into the environment.

Reported improvements in reproductive efficiency with organic trace minerals have included higher pregnancy rates and weaning percentages, fewer open days, and earlier puberty attainment.

While trace mineral requirements are often higher than maintenance needs for optimized health and fertility, and while the 2000 edition of the NRC defines these requirements clearly for gestating and early-lactation cows as well as for growing and finishing cattle, no specific requirements are listed in the NRC for bulls. Given the importance of trace minerals, however, especially in relation to hormone synthesis and spermatogenesis, trace mineral supplementation should be a key part of bull management even well before the onset of breeding season. For example, it takes approximately 60 days for new sperm to be produced and to mature; therefore, proper supplementation prior to bull turnout is key.

Bull fertility starts in utero

Trace minerals can also have an impact on fetal development and programming. One published beef study looked at the selenium form (inorganic selenium vs. Sel-Plex) fed to cows during gestation, examining how these two selenium sources affected transcriptome profiles in neonatal calf testes. The authors reported that the selenium form fed to the dam affected the expression of 853 annotated genes, including several mRNAs involved in the regulation of steroidogenesis and/or spermatogenesis (Cerny et al., 2015). This indicates that the form of selenium fed to the dam could impact the eventual fertility of her offspring.

In conclusion, the development of fertility in both heifers and bulls can be strongly affected by nutrition, starting in utero. Ensuring proper nutrition for the entire herd, not just the cows, is essential for a successful and profitable breeding season. Even small changes in overall nutrition, such as the inclusion of organic trace minerals such as Bioplex and Sel-Plex, can pay huge dividends, not only for the immediate calving season but over the productive lifespan of replacement heifers and bulls as well.

About the author: 

Laurentia van Rensburg is the global head of commercial (nutrition), Technology Group at Alltech. Prior to this role, she was the technical mineral manager for the Alltech Mineral Management platform. Laurentia has more than 15 years of experience in the livestock and animal science industries and has served in various roles in South Africa, the Netherlands, Latin America and North America.

Originally from South Africa, Laurentia earned a master's degree in animal science from the University of Kentucky.

I want to learn more about nutrition for my beef cattle. 

Produção de hortifrúti sem resíduos químicos ganha impulso com biotecnologia

Especialista aponta crescimento nas exigências dos mercados nacional e internacional por produtos com boa aparência, qualidade e sabor, com mínimo de defensivos agrícolas

Cada vez mais os produtores prezam por hortifrúti com menos resíduos de defensivos agrícolas. A utilização de produtos biológicos se mostra eficiente não só pelos resultados produtivos, mas também no manejo de doenças e na sustentabilidade. “O objetivo é manter o ambiente produtivo em equilíbrio natural e, a partir daí, criar condições para o estabelecimento de cultivos mais fortes e resistentes, com uso de produtos biológicos e manejo racional de defensivos químicos”, ressalta o engenheiro agrônomo Leonardo Porpino, gerente técnico Brasil da Alltech Crop Science.

Segundo o especialista, um bom equilíbrio biológico do solo é o caminho para o desenvolvimento de um microbioma que favoreça a criação de microrganismos benéficos em detrimento dos microrganismos que prejudicam a saúde do solo. “Quando o solo está saudável e equilibrado, a planta terá raízes saudáveis e um crescimento uniforme, além de outros benefícios”, aponta Porpino.

“Em um microbioma equilibrado, há maior desenvolvimento radicular; por consequência, o produtor tem plantas mais saudáveis e mais desenvolvidas. O equilíbrio do solo influencia também na qualidade das frutas e das hortaliças, ao mesmo tempo em que há maior produtividade no final da cadeia”, explica o engenheiro agrônomo Nelson Belém, gerente comercial Brasil da Alltech Crop Science.

A produção de hortifrúti com presença mínima de resíduos químicos tem sido uma preocupação nos mercados nacional e internacional. “Existe uma exigência por frutas e hortaliças com boa aparência, sabor e com o mínimo de resíduos e agrotóxicos”, reforça Belém. De acordo com o gerente da Alltech Crop Science, a utilização de soluções biotecnológicas de nutrição é uma ótima maneira de zelar pela saúde das plantas, o que resulta no aumento da procura de produtores de hortifrutigranjeiros por insumos biológicos com essas características.

Soluções naturais

A Linha Solo da Alltech Crop Science conta com o SOIL-PLEX ACTIVE, uma solução com compostos orgânicos para melhorar a atividade benéfica do microbioma, além de produtos voltados a cuidados específicos com a microbiota, como SOIL-PLEX TRUST e SOIL-PLEX READY, para facilitar o desenvolvimento de microrganismos benéficos. Em trabalhos desenvolvidos na UNESP de Jaboticabal (SP) com estas soluções da Alltech Crop Science, foi possível observar incrementos superiores a 100% nas populações de microrganismos benéficos bastante utilizados na agricultura como defensivos biológicos, dependendo da espécie.

Produtores de hortifrúti interessados em conhecer e tirar dúvidas sobre essas soluções biotecnológicas poderão visitar o estande da empresa na Hortitec, considerado um dos principais eventos da América Latina do setor. A 29ª edição acontece de 19 a 21 de junho, em Holambra (SP), e a expectativa dos organizadores é gerar cerca de R$ 450 milhões em negócios.

La oficina de Alltech Chile es pionera en el diseño de soluciones que abordan los desafíos de una industria local en crecimiento.

[Osorno, Chile] - Alltech, compañía global líder en la sostenibilidad del sector agroalimentario, celebra tres décadas diseñando tecnologías, programas y servicios nutricionales que apoyan el éxito del productor agropecuario de Chile; país conocido por ser pionero en innovación, bienestar animal y producción sostenible. Estas tecnologías personalizadas han ayudado a los productores chilenos a mejorar la salud y el desempeño animal; lo que da como resultado una mejor nutrición para las personas y un menor impacto ambiental.

Después de iniciar sus operaciones en México, Brasil y Perú, Alltech continuó su expansión por América Latina con la apertura en abril de 1994 de su oficina en Chile, la cual representa la ubicación geográfica más austral de la compañía a nivel global. La industria chilena se destacaba entonces por su producción de ganado de carne y leche, y por un prometedor sector salmonero que había nacido una década antes. Hoy, Chile es el segundo productor de salmón del mundo.

Con esta nueva oficina en Chile, Alltech ingresó por primera vez a la industria del salmón; lo que le permitió al recordado Dr. Pearse Lyons (fundador de la compañía) establecer una estrecha relación con los primeros salmonicultores chilenos. Una amistad que se vio reflejada con numerosas visitas a sus centros de cultivo y cenas en sus hogares; algunos de estos lugares de difícil acceso, a los que tenía que llegar en helicóptero, lancha u otro transporte especial.

“Más allá de un pujante sector agropecuario en general, tanto en los cultivos como en la producción animal, Chile ha destacado a nivel mundial por la salmonicultura. Sus salmonicultores han sido líderes en la adopción de innovadoras tecnologías y prácticas de manejo sostenibles; lo que ha convertido al país en el segundo productor global de salmón”, destacó el Dr. Mark Lyons (presidente y CEO de Alltech). “El compromiso de Chile con una nutrición de calidad y sostenible lo ha convertido en el lugar ideal para que Alltech realice aquí sus operaciones". Por lo que a medida que nos preparamos para celebrar otros 30 años aquí, esperamos continuar trabajando con la industria local para seguir ofreciéndole soluciones nutricionales que optimicen la salud y el desempeño animal, y ayuden a reducir su impacto ambiental”.

Tecnologías de precisión para una industria en crecimiento

El liderazgo de Alltech en el mercado chileno se ha fortalecido por su estrecha colaboración con los productores locales; que está enfocada en atender sus necesidades específicas. En estos 30 años, se han realizado más de 20 trabajos de investigación en cooperación con la industria local; para ofrecer soluciones adaptadas y efectivas para los diferentes desafíos de este mercado.

Alltech Chile fue la primera en abordar los desafíos de la producción de salmón a nivel global. Para esto, la compañía ha realizado ensayos con las principales empresas locales del sector; demostrando la efectividad de soluciones como los minerales Bioplex® y Sel-Plex®, y diseñando el programa nutricional Aquate® que ayuda a mejorar el desempeño reproductivo, fortalecer la respuesta inmune, maximizar la calidad de la carne y apoyar la salud de las branquias.

“Nuestro compromiso con nuestros clientes es más que una promesa. La eficacia de estas tecnologías –respaldadas por la ciencia– apoyan la innovación y la rentabilidad de la industria agropecuaria chilena”, señala Sebastián Emhardt (gerente general de Alltech Chile). “En estos 30 años hemos forjado un camino en el que la excelencia, el bienestar animal y la sostenibilidad se entrelazan para ofrecer productos de calidad y apoyar así un mundo de abundancia para todos”.

En las puertas de la Patagonia chilena

En 2018, la oficina de Alltech Chile se mudó a Osorno para aprovechar el potencial agropecuario que esta ciudad ofrece y para impulsar la estrategia comercial de la compañía en todo el país. Situada a 929 kilómetros de Santiago, Osorno es el centro de producción ganadera del país y está cerca de las principales granjas de salmones del país.

“La ciudad de Osorno nos permite estar más cerca de los productores chilenos y aumentar así nuestra participación en el mercado”, señaló Paulo Rigolin (vicepresidente de Alltech para América Latina). “Nuestra prioridad es mantener un enfoque de cercanía con nuestros clientes y esta oficina nos brinda eso, además, la oportunidad de apoyar a la comunidad local”.

“Marcando la diferencia” con los que más necesitan

El equipo de Alltech Chile está comprometido con poner en práctica el legado que dejó el Dr. Pearse Lyons de “marcar la diferencia” en las localidades en las que opera la compañía. Por ello, a lo largo de estos 30 años esta oficina ha apoyado las acciones de aquellas instituciones encargadas de velar por las personas más vulnerables: los niños y los adultos mayores.

Un ejemplo es el proyecto CENIM Puyehue de Osorno, institución que ofrece refugio y apoyo a niños y a adolescentes vulnerados en sus derechos, y que han sido separados de familias disfuncionales para asegurar su protección.

Un futuro proyectado con innovación y sostenibilidad

Los productores agropecuarios chilenos son líderes en la industria global, y Alltech Chile está comprometida con seguir impulsando el crecimiento, la competitividad y la rentabilidad de este sector.

“Nuestra visión es seguir siendo líderes al apoyar la productividad y la eficiencia de los productores locales, sin dejar de enfocarnos en el bienestar animal y en la protección del medio ambiente; lo que se alinea con el propósito de Alltech de Trabajar juntos por un Planeta de Abundancia™”, añadió Emhardt.

Feeding experts at KEENAN are investigating the current health status of UK dairy farms to determine whether there is any real opportunity to improve production, profitability, welfare and total carbon footprint — all paramount to the future of farming livelihoods.

Market fluctuation is something the dairy sector has had to contend with for decades. To cope with this reality, we “make hay when the sun shines”. When margins are good, we try to push on. But when margins are poor to absent, we try to rein back production. And this circle of production continues.

But in any market situation and on every farm, good herd health is crucial to productivity, efficiency, profitability, animal welfare, and total carbon footprint. No longer is suboptimal care acceptable or even feasible. Each individual animal and the entire herd must be looked after impeccably for farms to have a place in the future. 

We’re not talking healthy; we’re talking extremely healthy. And we’re not just talking about the clinical cases; we’re also talking about the underlying or less obvious cases.

KEENAN is on a mission to help cows and farmers thrive and to put a stop to the exiting of farmers from the industry. To do this, we want to help make the highest of health standards accomplishable. We believe that cow health has always been, and should always be, the centre stage of all successful farming operations.

We will focus on:

• The current health status (and costs) on UK dairy farms

• Understanding how nutrition impacts on cow health

• Our three nutritional focus areas for better cow health

• Why choose KEENAN for cow health and performance?· 

The current health status (and costs) on UK dairy farms

According to NMR’s 2023 study, many aspects of UK dairy herd health have progressed significantly over the past couple of decades. But does that mean that the sector now has cow health (and fertility) ‘nailed’? Or is there still opportunity for improvement? That’s the question KEENAN has sought to answer by combining average performance data with recent average costs to help identify the top opportunities.

Key take-homes

• Retained foetal membranes are the costliest health challenge to treat.

• Lameness and mastitis are the most prevalent clinical health challenges.

• Whilst the incidence rate and direct costs associated with milk fever are relatively low, the condition is associated with a higher risk of difficult calving, retained placenta, mastitis, and displaced abomasum.

Important to consider

While you might benchmark yourself against this data and think you’re doing well, it is essential to contemplate what impacts are available from even just incremental improvements. If you were to reduce the number of cases of retained foetal membranes by just two, for instance, that could amount to thousands of pounds a year.

Understanding how nutrition impacts on cow health

Metabolism is the collection of chemical reactions in the body responsible for the conversion of food into energy for maintenance, growth, and reproduction. Metabolism is also fundamentally required by the immune system, a function known as immunometabolism. Whether invasive pathogenic bacteria go on to cause conditions such as metritis, for example, is most likely determined by how efficiently the immune system (largely stemming from within the gut) responds to them.

Immunometabolism is most significant during the transition period from late pregnancy to early postpartum, with vast changes in metabolism and immune function occurring at the onset of lactation. Metabolic disorders such as ketosis, milk fever, grass tetany and downer cow syndrome, all commonly encountered during this period, tend to be precursors for many other diseases and conditions. For example, if a cow gets milk fever, she is considerably more predisposed to conditions like mastitis and infertility.

Lameness is also influenced by nutrition and metabolism. Studies have shown that high-concentrate diets, acidosis, and exposure to mycotoxins can increase the prevalence of ulcers, digital dermatitis, and white line disease.

Optimising gut health and reducing the risk of metabolic diseases comes down to three key nutrition and housing factors.

Our three nutritional focus areas for better cow health

One of the major contributors to metabolic issues is inflammation over the transition period. First-calving heifers that are perhaps more shy, over-conditioned cows eating less pre-calving, and cows that have had difficult calvings have the highest inflammation and stress around calving and the greatest incidence of disease afterward. This makes the transition period the most vital to get right.

1. RUMEN HEALTH

Rumen health is the basis of gut health and immunity. It is largely dependent on the physical presentation of the feed, i.e., ease of sorting and fibre damage. This impacts on dry matter intakes and rumen fill scores, which are linked to acidosis/SARA in the milking herd and negative energy balance in transition cows.

Here are some feed processing targets to work to:

1. First and foremost, start with a good-quality forage which is full of valuable nutrition and appealing to eat. This is the foundation to an effective ration.

2. Balance this forage with other feed ingredients to ensure that the cow has access to adequate levels of energy, protein, starch, and other vital macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients.

3. Present this carefully balanced diet in an evenly mixed ration that cannot be sorted, ensuring forage fibres are chopped to a precise length for stimulating saliva production, increasing rumination, and optimising rumen pH.

2. COW COMFORT

Rumination is vital for breaking down roughage before it reaches the small intestine, and cows will typically ruminate for seven to eight hours of the day. Rumination will drop on average 12 to 24 hours before there are visual signs of a health issue, so it’s a vital indicator of health issues.  

Ensuring cow comfort and ease of access to feed at all times is vital for adequate rumination to take place.Here are some milking-cow comfort targets to work to:

• Lying time: 14 hours per day*

• Feed access: 65 cm per cow, with frequent push-ups

• Water access: 10 cm per cow of clean, fresh water

• Lighting: >160 lux for 16–18 hours/day*

• Ventilation: 30 breaths per minute 

*Note that dry cows require different targets, such as lower light levels and more lying time.

3. MACRO- AND MICRO-NUTRITION

Vitamins, minerals, trace elements and feed additives play a vital role in many functions. Any deficiency will compromise enzyme activity and cellular function, so having access to the right supplementation in the right amounts is crucial.

Top tip: Consider the bioavailability of the mineral; chelated options have proved to be more available to the animal.

Top tips:

• Dead (or “stabilised”) yeast does not have the ability to use up oxygen in the same way live yeast does.

• Be aware that there are more than 300 types of toxins, and some solutions don’t bind to every type, with penicillium being a common culprit for “evading” binders.

Why choose KEENAN for cow health and performance?

When investing in a diet feeder, all farmers are seeking the same thing: a durable machine that will quickly produce a great, consistent feed mix day after day.

The KEENAN system delivers on this and more. With over 40 years of nutrition-based engineering and huge investments into feeding technology, KEENAN is the nation’s number-one diet feeding system. Best known for its flagship MechFiber machine and the patented ‘mechanical fibre’ TMR produced from it, the KEENAN system was built on the need to optimise cow health and productivity.

The KEENAN system is uniquely and independently certified by the Carbon Trust to increase feed conversion efficiency, improve herd performance and reduce methane production per litre of milk. By delivering a feed that is more easily digestible, the KEENAN system improves rumen efficiency, meaning less energy is wasted into the environment.

*University of Illinois, 2008; University of Reading, 2008; Colman et al., 2011; Professional Animal Scientist, 27, 505-17

** Subtle changes in rumen conditions had major effects on feed efficiency

KEENAN MechFiber+ offers even better performance

KEENAN customers with healthy herds

To challenge your health status, start by putting your feed to the test!

If you are in pursuit of better cow health and want to make more of your feed and nutrition, put your system to the test with an Alltech^® Navigate^™ feed appraisal.

The Alltech Navigate programme utilises a series of analytical tools, including CowSignals^® and dung sieving, to gather data, then combines the data with algorithms developed to establish opportunities to decrease waste and optimise cow health. It then generates a report with prioritised action points for enhancing health, fertility and feed efficiency. You can then work through the action plan and see the benefits unfold!

For more information email keenaninfo@alltech.com

Feeding experts at KEENAN are investigating the current health status of UK dairy farms to determine whether there is any real opportunity to improve production, profitability, welfare and total carbon footprint — all paramount to the future of farming livelihoods.

Market fluctuation is something the dairy sector has had to contend with for decades. To cope with this reality, we “make hay when the sun shines”. When margins are good, we try to push on. But when margins are poor to absent, we try to rein back production. And this circle of production continues.

But in any market situation and on every farm, good herd health is crucial to productivity, efficiency, profitability, animal welfare, and total carbon footprint. No longer is suboptimal care acceptable or even feasible. Each individual animal and the entire herd must be looked after impeccably for farms to have a place in the future. 

We’re not talking healthy; we’re talking extremely healthy. And we’re not just talking about the clinical cases; we’re also talking about the underlying or less obvious cases.

KEENAN is on a mission to help cows and farmers thrive and to put a stop to the exiting of farmers from the industry. To do this, we want to help make the highest of health standards accomplishable. We believe that cow health has always been, and should always be, the centre stage of all successful farming operations.

We will focus on:

• The current health status (and costs) on UK dairy farms

• Understanding how nutrition impacts on cow health

• Our three nutritional focus areas for better cow health

• Why choose KEENAN for cow health and performance?· 

The current health status (and costs) on UK dairy farms

According to NMR’s 2023 study, many aspects of UK dairy herd health have progressed significantly over the past couple of decades. But does that mean that the sector now has cow health (and fertility) ‘nailed’? Or is there still opportunity for improvement? That’s the question KEENAN has sought to answer by combining average performance data with recent average costs to help identify the top opportunities.

Key take-homes

• Retained foetal membranes are the costliest health challenge to treat.

• Lameness and mastitis are the most prevalent clinical health challenges.

• Whilst the incidence rate and direct costs associated with milk fever are relatively low, the condition is associated with a higher risk of difficult calving, retained placenta, mastitis, and displaced abomasum.

Important to consider

While you might benchmark yourself against this data and think you’re doing well, it is essential to contemplate what impacts are available from even just incremental improvements. If you were to reduce the number of cases of retained foetal membranes by just two, for instance, that could amount to thousands of pounds a year.

Understanding how nutrition impacts on cow health

Metabolism is the collection of chemical reactions in the body responsible for the conversion of food into energy for maintenance, growth, and reproduction. Metabolism is also fundamentally required by the immune system, a function known as immunometabolism. Whether invasive pathogenic bacteria go on to cause conditions such as metritis, for example, is most likely determined by how efficiently the immune system (largely stemming from within the gut) responds to them.

Immunometabolism is most significant during the transition period from late pregnancy to early postpartum, with vast changes in metabolism and immune function occurring at the onset of lactation. Metabolic disorders such as ketosis, milk fever, grass tetany and downer cow syndrome, all commonly encountered during this period, tend to be precursors for many other diseases and conditions. For example, if a cow gets milk fever, she is considerably more predisposed to conditions like mastitis and infertility.

Lameness is also influenced by nutrition and metabolism. Studies have shown that high-concentrate diets, acidosis, and exposure to mycotoxins can increase the prevalence of ulcers, digital dermatitis, and white line disease.

Optimising gut health and reducing the risk of metabolic diseases comes down to three key nutrition and housing factors.

Our three nutritional focus areas for better cow health

One of the major contributors to metabolic issues is inflammation over the transition period. First-calving heifers that are perhaps more shy, over-conditioned cows eating less pre-calving, and cows that have had difficult calvings have the highest inflammation and stress around calving and the greatest incidence of disease afterward. This makes the transition period the most vital to get right.

1. RUMEN HEALTH

Rumen health is the basis of gut health and immunity. It is largely dependent on the physical presentation of the feed, i.e., ease of sorting and fibre damage. This impacts on dry matter intakes and rumen fill scores, which are linked to acidosis/SARA in the milking herd and negative energy balance in transition cows.

Here are some feed processing targets to work to:

1. First and foremost, start with a good-quality forage which is full of valuable nutrition and appealing to eat. This is the foundation to an effective ration.

2. Balance this forage with other feed ingredients to ensure that the cow has access to adequate levels of energy, protein, starch, and other vital macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients.

3. Present this carefully balanced diet in an evenly mixed ration that cannot be sorted, ensuring forage fibres are chopped to a precise length for stimulating saliva production, increasing rumination, and optimising rumen pH.

2. COW COMFORT

Rumination is vital for breaking down roughage before it reaches the small intestine, and cows will typically ruminate for seven to eight hours of the day. Rumination will drop on average 12 to 24 hours before there are visual signs of a health issue, so it’s a vital indicator of health issues.  

Ensuring cow comfort and ease of access to feed at all times is vital for adequate rumination to take place.Here are some milking-cow comfort targets to work to:

• Lying time: 14 hours per day*

• Feed access: 65 cm per cow, with frequent push-ups

• Water access: 10 cm per cow of clean, fresh water

• Lighting: >160 lux for 16–18 hours/day*

• Ventilation: 30 breaths per minute 

*Note that dry cows require different targets, such as lower light levels and more lying time.

3. MACRO- AND MICRO-NUTRITION

Vitamins, minerals, trace elements and feed additives play a vital role in many functions. Any deficiency will compromise enzyme activity and cellular function, so having access to the right supplementation in the right amounts is crucial.

Top tip: Consider the bioavailability of the mineral; chelated options have proved to be more available to the animal.

Top tips:

• Dead (or “stabilised”) yeast does not have the ability to use up oxygen in the same way live yeast does.

• Be aware that there are more than 300 types of toxins, and some solutions don’t bind to every type, with penicillium being a common culprit for “evading” binders.

Why choose KEENAN for cow health and performance?

When investing in a diet feeder, all farmers are seeking the same thing: a durable machine that will quickly produce a great, consistent feed mix day after day.

The KEENAN system delivers on this and more. With over 40 years of nutrition-based engineering and huge investments into feeding technology, KEENAN is the nation’s number-one diet feeding system. Best known for its flagship MechFiber machine and the patented ‘mechanical fibre’ TMR produced from it, the KEENAN system was built on the need to optimise cow health and productivity.

The KEENAN system is uniquely and independently certified by the Carbon Trust to increase feed conversion efficiency, improve herd performance and reduce methane production per litre of milk. By delivering a feed that is more easily digestible, the KEENAN system improves rumen efficiency, meaning less energy is wasted into the environment.

*University of Illinois, 2008; University of Reading, 2008; Colman et al., 2011; Professional Animal Scientist, 27, 505-17

** Subtle changes in rumen conditions had major effects on feed efficiency

KEENAN MechFiber+ offers even better performance

KEENAN customers with healthy herds

To challenge your health status, start by putting your feed to the test!

If you are in pursuit of better cow health and want to make more of your feed and nutrition, put your system to the test with an Alltech^® Navigate^™ feed appraisal.

The Alltech Navigate programme utilises a series of analytical tools, including CowSignals^® and dung sieving, to gather data, then combines the data with algorithms developed to establish opportunities to decrease waste and optimise cow health. It then generates a report with prioritised action points for enhancing health, fertility and feed efficiency. You can then work through the action plan and see the benefits unfold!

For more information email keenaninfo@alltech.com

Alltech delivers smarter, more sustainable solutions for agriculture. We believe agriculture has the greatest potential to positively shape the future of our planet, and that together we can provide nutrition for all, revitalize local economies and replenish the planet’s natural resources.

As a leader in the industry, we are working to align all our business processes with our goal of creating a world of abundance for all.

Anti-slavery and human trafficking

Alltech and its subsidiaries across the globe are committed to improving practices to combat slavery and human trafficking. We recognize that our business practices and supply chains reach many different parts of the world and thereby are at risk from modern slavery and human trafficking offences.

We have therefore taken steps to manage this risk and regulate our supply chain by implementing policies, procedures and risk assessments, and by providing training to all relevant staff.

Alltech's organizational structure.

Alltech is a global manufacturer and provider of agricultural and commercial services and has extensive research facilities in the agricultural, brewing and life science sectors.

Our supply chains

At Alltech, we operate and maintain a preferred supplier list.

We conduct due diligence on all suppliers before allowing them to become a preferred supplier. The anti-slavery policy forms part of our Global Compliance Scheme.

In addition to the above, as part of our raw material and packaging supplier approval process, we require that all new suppliers comply with key principles in the Alltech Business Partner Code of Conduct.

Our policies on slavery and human trafficking

We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business. Our Anti-Slavery Policy reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains.

Due diligence processes for slavery and human trafficking

We shall continually seek to improve our processes and we shall endeavor to have procedures in place that allow us to audit and monitor our supply chain.

To download Alltech's complete Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2024 (PDF), click here.

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Alltech aims to create a world of abundance and inspire others — including our Business Partners — to join us in doing the same. Business Partners play a crucial role in Alltech’s success and in helping us achieve our purpose of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™. Alltech seeks to ensure that our Business Partners are aligned with our core values, and we have developed a Business Partner Code of Conduct to support this goal. In the Code, we outline our expectations for our partners to act ethically, sustainably and in compliance with applicable laws as well as the consequences for not following the Code.

To download the complete Alltech Business Partner Code of Conduct*, click here.

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Assim como o nosso, o organismo dos pets abriga uma vasta população microbiana formada por bactérias, mas que também inclui fungos, vírus e protozoários. Essa comunidade é denominada microbiota. E a nutrição constitui uma ferramenta importante para evitar o desequilíbrio - chamado de disbiose - neste ambiente. 

Há algum tempo, pesquisadores empenham-se para desvendar qual o impacto do microbioma na saúde e bem-estar de pessoas e animais. Apesar de ainda haver muito a ser descoberto para responder a essa pergunta, os últimos anos nos provaram uma coisa: a questão é bem maior do que imaginávamos!

Afinal, o que é disbiose?

Quando há diminuição de microrganismos benéficos, aumento daqueles com potencial patogênico ou perda de diversidade na microbiota, podemos dizer que há um quadro de disbiose (Tiffany, 2019).

Esse desequilíbrio é indesejado, pois compromete as diversas funções da microbiota intestinal:

• Aproveitamento dos nutrientes: uma população bacteriana desbalanceada pode causar aumento do pH intestinal, interferindo na digestão e absorção de nutrientes, além de alterar os níveis de certas vitaminas do complexo B (McLeish, 2019);
• Estrutura intestinal: os efeitos deletérios do desequilíbrio microbiano estendem-se, sobretudo, à perda da integridade da barreira intestinal e alteração na composição e espessura do muco;
• Imunomodulação: um animal em disbiose pode ter a produção de citocinas pelas bactérias desregulada. Essas substâncias modulam a proliferação de monócitos e linfócitos, a atividade fagocítica dos macrófagos e a síntese de imunoglobulinas (Macfarlane e Cummings, 1999);
• Defesa contra patógenos: a disbiose aumenta a suscetibilidade à infecção por microrganismos causadores de doença, já que, além de interferir na integridade da barreira intestinal, há menor competição por espaço e recursos.

Dessa maneira, é possível notar a importância de uma microbiota equilibrada para a homeostase do intestino e do organismo dos animais como um todo. Ainda incipientes, pesquisas buscam estabelecer, principalmente, se a relação entre a disbiose e doenças crônicas gastrointestinais, dermatite atópica, entre outras condições crônicas de pets, são de causa ou efeito. Provavelmente, há uma sobreposição: esses quadros afetam a população microbiana que, por sua vez, está ligada à capacidade imune, prejudicando a resposta do animal a eles.

Como a nutrição contribui para o microbioma dos pets 

Presente no cotidiano dos pets, as decisões relacionadas à nutrição influenciam não só na consistência e odor das fezes, como também na saúde e longevidade dos nossos companheiros.  

Além de uma dieta balanceada, de acordo com os requerimentos dos cães e gatos, o uso de tecnologias nutricionais, como os aditivos à base de leveduras, contribui para um microbioma equilibrado. Nesse sentido, podemos destacar os seguintes aditivos:

• Probióticos:  microrganismos vivos que, quando administrados em quantidades adequadas, conferem um benefício à saúde do hospedeiro;
• Prebióticos: ingredientes não digestíveis que oferecem efeitos benéficos para os animais ao selecionarem estímulos para o crescimento e a atividade de bactérias específicas, conferindo benefícios à saúde do hospedeiro;

Estudos recentes demonstram grandes resultados advindos do uso de tecnologias nutricionais focadas na microbiota intestinal. Só para exemplificar algumas delas:

Fração ativa de mananos 

O uso de mananoligossacarídeos (MOS) na alimentação animal como prebiótico é bem difundido. Com base nos estudos de nutrigenômica, a Alltech desenvolveu uma solução mais purificada que MOS: o Actigen®. Como fração ativa de mananos (do inglês, MRF), essa tecnologia nutricional derivada da parede celular de leveduras contribui para o bem-estar dos pets ao promover a diversidade da microbiota, diminuindo a suscetibilidade à disbiose, e modular o sistema imune.

Em estudo de Kroll e colaboradores (2020), foi demonstrado que a inclusão de Actigen na dieta de cães idosos foi capaz de estimular a imunidade inata e adquirida. Aliás, alguns efeitos dessa benéfica imunomodulação foram: maior atividade fagocítica dos neutrófilos (p < 0,1), maior resposta cutânea à vacina (p = 0,002) e ao estímulo de fitohemoaglutinina (p = 0,002) no teste de hipersensibilidade cutânea tardia.

Nucleotídeos e ácido glutâmico

Componentes do extrato de levedura, os nucleotídeos contribuem para o crescimento e recuperação do epitélio intestinal ao participar da síntese de DNA. O ácido glutâmico, por exemplo, contribui para a palatabilidade dos alimentos e, por ser substrato energético para os enterócitos, tem importante papel na integridade da mucosa intestinal (Kaelle et al., 2022).

A pesquisa de Kaelle e colaboradores (2022) avaliou a inclusão de NuPro®, tecnologia Alltech de extrato de leveduras, na dieta de cães e encontrou que: além de redução no pH (p<0,05) e maior concentração de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta nas fezes, o estudo de palatabilidade demonstrou forte preferência às dietas com a tecnologia Alltech em comparação àquelas que não a tinham (p<0,001).

Selênio orgânico

Pereira e colaboradores (2020) exploraram o efeito da suplementação de Sel-Plex™, levedura enriquecida com selênio de alta biodisponibilidade da Alltech, em filhotes de cães. Os principais achados foram:

• aumento da diversidade de microbiota;
• aumento da produção de butirato e propionato, ácidos graxos de cadeia curta que atuam como substrato energético para as células do epitélio intestinal e contribuem para a manutenção da integridade da barreira intestinal e regulação do metabolismo energético (Yang, 2013);
• redução na concentração de Escherichia coli, um patógeno intestinal importante;
• e aumento na concentração de Lactobacillus, bactérias que promovem a eubiose ao acidificar o pH intestinal.

Em síntese, podemos estabelecer que há diversas soluções nutricionais para apoiar a longevidade dos pets – e novas descobertas acontecendo a cada dia. Estratégias para incluí-las na alimentação ao longo da vida, prezando por uma microbiota diversificada e os metabólitos benéficos para a imunidade e digestão, contribuem para o bem-estar dos animais e, por extensão, dos seus tutores. Afinal, quem não quer ver os companheiros bem?

Quer saber mais sobre as soluções Alltech para maximizar a longevidade dos pets? Clique aqui e entre em contato com um representante.

Referências:

Kaelle, G. C. B., Souza, C. M. M., Bastos, T. S., Vasconcellos, R. S., de Oliveira, S. G., & Félix, A. P. (2022).Diet digestibility and palatability and intestinal fermentative products in dogs fed yeast extract. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 21(1), 802-810.

Kroll, F. S. A., Putarov, T. C., Zaine, L., Venturini, K. S., Aoki, C. G., Santos, J. P. F., & Carciofi, A. C. (2020). Active fractions of mannoproteins derived from yeast cell wall stimulate innate and acquired immunity of adult and elderly dogs. Animal feed science and technology, 261, 114392.

Mcleish, Susan A.; Burt, Kay; Papasouliotis, Kostas (2019). Analytical quality assessment and method comparison of immunoassays for the measurement of serum cobalamin and folate in dogs and cats. Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation, 31 (2), 164-174.

Macfarlane, G. T., & Cummings, J. H. (1999). Probiotics and prebiotics: can regulating the activities of intestinal bacteria benefit health?. Bmj, 318(7189), 999-1003.

Pereira, A. M., Pinna, C., Biagi, G., Stefanelli, C., Maia, M. R., Matos, E., & Cabrita, A. R. J. (2020). Supplemental selenium source on gut health: Insights on fecal microbiome and fermentation products of growing puppies. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 96(11), 212.

Tiffany, C. R., & Bäumler, A. J. (2019). Dysbiosis: from fiction to function. American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, 317(5), G602-G608.

Yang, Q., & Wu, Z. (2023). Gut Probiotics and Health of Dogs and Cats: Benefits, Applications, and Underlying Mechanisms. Microorganisms, 11(10), 2452.

Supplying your herd with the right balance of calories, minerals and vitamins during breeding and early gestation can have major impacts on calf health and your operation’s overall profitability.

Click here for full article. 

The Alltech team recently contributed valuable insights at the American Society of Animal Science Midwest (ASAS Midwest) event in Madison, Wisconsin. ASAS Midwest is one of the best conferences about swine nutrition, both in the U.S. and globally. Attendees enjoyed many opportunities to gain practical knowledge that will empower them to enhance productivity and sustainability in their pig farming operations.

Meet our speakers at the event and learn what pork producers can apply from the research presented.

Dr. Henrique Cemin, senior swine nutritionist at Hubbard Feeds, an Alltech company

Dr. Cemin oversees research and development at Hubbard Feeds, where Alltech conducts about 25 trials per year involving over 40,000 pigs. The R&D team also provides technical services and support for Hubbard’s field team and customers.

He gave three presentations, addressing:

• the net energy of soybean meal
• the phosphorus requirement of nursery pigs
• the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and their interactions

Dr. Cemin was invited to present on soybean meal net energy because of his research in this area during graduate school and at Hubbard Feeds. His calcium and phosphorus presentations were selected from submitted abstracts identified as important to the industry.

"Soybean meal is a key source of amino acids for swine diets globally, and it’s important to understand its energy value,” Dr. Cemin said. “Traditional prediction equations underestimate its energy for pigs, so updated values are needed for better diet formulation. For calcium and phosphorus, understanding their levels and interactions is crucial for pig performance and economic impact.

“Current research addresses these topics, but the answers evolve with genetic improvements and other advancements. Keeping updated with these changes is crucial for the industry’s progress.”

Dr. Cemin also explored issues around feed costs, overall profitability, supply and demand, and the pressures of disease.

Morgan Hart, research coordinator and swine nutritionist at Hubbard Feeds

In her double role with Hubbard Feeds, Morgan Hart ensures that all proper measures are taken to effectively run research trials at Hubbard’s three commercial facilities. In addition, she works alongside Alltech’s U.S. Pork team to provide technical nutritional services for our customers.

At the conference, Ms. Hart presented on determining lysine requirements for pigs fed high-fiber diets after weaning.

“This research is crucial for pork producers, as we’ve found that incorporating fibers into pig diets can significantly enhance gut health, nutrient digestibility and pig survivability, especially during health challenges,” she said.

Dr. Jose Soto, director of monogastric research and technical lead at Alltech

Dr. Soto works closely with our Pork and Poultry teams, helping identify how Alltech solutions and services can support our customers while following Alltech’s ACE Principle of always prioritizing the Animal, the Consumer and the Environment. Driven by solving complex challenges, Dr. Soto and his highly competent team continue to deliver leading-edge technologies. Currently, they are making strong progress on:

• a phytogenic offering antibiotic-free growth promotion
• a technology, based on MOS (mannan oligosaccharide), that has shown livability benefits
• organic mineral nutrition to address antagonisms that can hinder performance

“It’s about delivering meaningful outcomes that drive producers’ profitability, and using Alltech technologies such as organic minerals to improve not only performance but sustainability,” Dr. Soto said.

The research overseen by these three experts is only part of the broad-based, in-depth research continuously conducted by Alltech. We are always evaluating and refining our programs, collaborating with universities and industry partners to enhance swine nutrition. The Alltech Pork team also provides tailored nutritional support to productions of all sizes, offering expertise, assistance, and a comprehensive approach to swine nutrition and management.

“The U.S. Pork team is uniquely positioned to support the industry in achieving its goals, because we understand the challenges and opportunities involved,” Dr. Soto said. “Our team of experts works together to help producers be more efficient and profitable. With talented individuals and a strong supply chain, we strive to minimize environmental impact while delivering high-quality technologies.”

About the author

Tien Le, Editorial Content Manager, Alltech

Tien earned her bachelor’s degree in advertising and marketing communications from the University of Greenwich, London, with the University Merit Award for Outstanding Achievement. She started her career at Alltech in 2016 as part of the Corporate Career Development Program, spending time in both the U.S. and Ireland before taking a role in Vietnam, her home country. Tien presently serves as the editorial content manager for Alltech, a role that allows her to fulfill her passions for writing, innovation and sustainable agriculture.

I would like to learn more about nutrition for my pig herd. 

The weaning and receiving period can be a stressful time for both calves and producers. Having a plan beforehand is crucial to ensuring things go smoothly. Here are some tips to get off to a great start.

1. Prepare your facilities

Making sure that your facilities are in good shape for the arrival of weaned calves can help smooth the transition from pasture. Check waterers to confirm that they are working properly, and offer feed in locations that are easy for calves to find. Portable feed troughs and low-moisture tubs can be placed along the fence line to help animals find feed quickly. Developing and increasing dry matter intake is key to maintaining health.

If weaning into larger dry lots, consider splitting lots with panels. This will minimize the need to commingle animals. The higher stocking density will help reduce pacing and keep pens moist, which will minimize dust. Dust can contribute to pneumonia, so keeping dust levels down is crucial. Additionally, ensure that the fencing is secure to prevent escapes and that there are adequate shelters or windbreaks to protect calves from harsh weather conditions.

2. Minimize stress

Stress is known to have negative impacts on health and performance. While stress can’t be completely eliminated, there are ways to minimize it through management.

One way is to vaccinate, deworm, dehorn and castrate before weaning. These procedures can be stressful, and performing them well in advance of weaning allows calves to recover fully before the additional stress of separation from their mothers.

Also, commingle new cattle as little as possible. This reduces the spread of disease as well as the stress from determining pecking order. Low-stress handling techniques, such as using calm and quiet methods when moving and working with cattle, can also help reduce stress.

3. Familiarize calves with feed

Getting newly received cattle on feed quickly is essential to maintaining their health. Calves are used to a diet of milk and forage while on pasture, so switching to the concentrated ration offered in the weaning pens can be difficult, involving differences in texture and nutrient digestibility.

Slowly transitioning calves to a concentrated diet while they are still alongside their mothers can help with the transition, minimizing digestive upsets associated with the higher starch concentration in weaning feeds. Providing high-quality forage in the weaning pen is helpful as well. Also, if low-moisture tubs are used on pasture, offering a stress tub in the weaning pen can help the calves transition more quickly.

4. Provide plentiful, fresh water

Water is one of the most overlooked nutrients. Fresh, clean water is essential for getting calves on feed as well as maintaining their health.

Some calves may never have used a water trough before. One trick that can help them adjust is to let the water continually run over for a brief period, helping the calves find it. Ensure that water sources are clean and accessible, as dirty or difficult-to-reach water can discourage calves from drinking. Providing multiple water sources also helps to ensure all calves have access to water, especially in larger groups. In colder weather, check that water troughs are kept ice-free, and in hot weather, provide additional shade to encourage water consumption.

Even with these plans in place, be sure to monitor water intake closely during the first few days after weaning, as dehydration can quickly lead to health issues.

5. Establish gut health

Gut health is critical to prevent calf health problems. Scours in calves are common during weaning and are a gut health issue. By fostering a healthy microbial population in the gut, Bio-Mos® 2 offers a natural approach to improving animal growth performance and health, along with producer profitability, during this transition.

Monitoring calves for signs of digestive upset, such as diarrhea or reduced feed intake, can help identify issues early and allow for prompt intervention. Bio-Mos 2 can quickly and easily address calf scours by being added to a ration through various current supplementation methods, including loose minerals, pellets, tubs/blocks, liquid supplements or carrier packs.  

Preparing facilities, minimizing stress, familiarizing calves with feed, providing fresh water, and focusing on gut health are all key steps in smooth and successful weaning and receiving. Producers who have a solid transition plan in place can expect healthier, more productive animals in the long run.

About the author: 

Dr. Shelby Roberts is a ruminant research scientist at Alltech in Nicholasville, Kentucky. Dr. Roberts' passion for the beef industry started at an early age while growing up on a commercial cow-calf operation in West Texas. She earned a bachelor's degree in animal science at West Texas A&M University, a master's degree in ruminant nutrition from Oklahoma State University and a Ph.D. in agriculture with an emphasis in ruminant health and immunology from West Texas A&M University.

With experience in ruminant nutrition and ruminant health, Dr. Roberts interests focus on applied beef management practices that aim at improving animal health through nutrition. 

I want to learn more about nutrition for my beef cattle.

Dr. Jose Soto of Alltech and Dr. Andrew Bents of Hubbard Feeds join us from World Pork Expo to talk about Levelset, a new gut health product being rolled out to the pork industry.

Click here for full interview.