CALF_News_December_2021_January_2022

33 CALF News • December 2021 | January 2022 • www.calfnews.net By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor I t seems the pace of genetic improvement in livestock produc- tion moves at warp speed. Beef cattle grow faster, are more efficient and produce a higher quality product than any time in history. Likewise, dairy cattle production has increased by 11 percent in the past 10 years, now averag- ing nearly 24,000 pounds of milk per lactation. Keeping track of the nutritional needs of these ever-evolving animals is like trying to hit a moving target. A Master at Research For the last 50 years, Zinpro Corpora- tion has been continuously researching livestock mineral needs. I recently spoke with two Zinpro technical services team members specializing in beef cattle nutrition regarding the challenges their company tackles. Connie Larson, Ph.D., is associate director of global technical services, and Chanda Engel, M.S., is a beef research associate for Zinpro. The Function of Zinc Larson and Engel emphasize the impor- tance of adjusting the zinc recommenda- tions for cattle as their needs increase with genetic improvement. Zinc is a trace mineral that touches every cell and affects organ function in every species. The multi- faceted nutrient protects, for example, the integrity of skin, lungs, intestines and is important in hoof health. With respect to diagnosing zinc defi- ciency, Larson and Engel say there may not be one particular symptom that can be singled out and identified by sight. Rather, cattle will simply not perform to their full potential. They may be predis- posed to immunity issues, reduced fertil- ity, bone and joint problems or lameness. The duo explains it is rare to see big zinc deficiencies, but normal-looking cattle may not be performing to their potential. Stress Factors As we well know, stress is a huge factor that can impact cattle performance, affect- ing herd health by limiting feed intake or blocking uptake of nutrients, including zinc. A snowball effect can also happen in cattle already deficient in minerals. When dealing with a group of stressed cattle, Larson and Engel recommend noting general herd health and consider evaluating feed and water sources. Is something deficient in the diet or is there anything potentially interfering with nutrient uptake? Analyzing blood samples can be a tool to help diagnose zinc deficiency; however, oftentimes we are dealing with cattle with a marginal level and low performance. Mineral content in feeds can vary from one place to the next. The pair says plant maturity, drought or pastures that have been burned can affect mineral availabil- ity to livestock. In certain instances, nutri- ents and minerals found in the feedstuffs, and in some cases, the water source can “antagonize” other minerals, making them unavailable for absorption. How is Zinpro Different? Zinpro minerals are a chelated, organic mineral source. Although we know that chelated is better than standard, Larson and Engel remind us that all chelated minerals are not equal; the word itself is a generic term. Zinpro mineral is specifi- cally a 1-to-1 combination of mineral and amino acid, referred to as a metal amino acid complex. This increases absorption of the product and makes it a “perfor- mance-oriented” mineral. The amino acid is critical for absorption and as a bonding structure to zinc. Zinpro offers Availa® 4, a combination of zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt, for cattlemen looking for lasting benefits in their herds. Science Monitors Changes and Benefits Baseline zinc requirements have been identified that prevent deficiencies; how- ever, cattle are constantly improving and evolving into ever-more efficient produc- ers of meat and milk. Zinpro Corpora- tion realizes the importance of providing adequate levels of zinc to achieve opti- mum cattle performance. Therefore, the Young cattle need the protection of a good mineral supplement to help boost immunity during times of stress. Zinc is an essential trace mineral. Keeping Up with the Times Zinpro Research Keeps Mineral Recommendations Current Continued on page 35 