CALF_News_Oct_Nov_2018

22 CALF News • October | November 2018 • www.calfnews.net CALF ANIMAL HEALTH Chuteside Manner EXPLORING THE FRONTIER OF ANIMAL HEALTH Havenga Family Journey The Importance of Trace Minerals By Patti Wilson Contributing Editor O ur October Chuteside is an exp loration of trace minerals and how to ensure their adequate uptake in cattle. Every bit as important and interesting is Dr. Lourens Havenga, a South African veterinarian who immigrated to the United States with his wife Elfrieda and 9-year-old son Duncan in 2009. Dr. Havenga wanted to pursue an opportunity to explore the magnitude of numbers in the U.S. cattle industry. He wished to better himself as a veterinar- ian and continue to develop his product, Multimin®90. He says that South Africa’s cattle population is one-tenth of the United States’. Management styles are differ- ent, as are feedstuffs and soil types. In addition, access to top-notch universities in the United States makes for better research opportunities. Havenga was specifically interested in our land-grant universities. More cattle and better research by enthusiastic staff would move his new product forward more quickly. Although the move was right for the small family, it was not without its dif- ficulties; his son had a difficult time. Now living in Fort Collins, Colo., Havenga says cattle producers are “honest, glorious people. They are the same all over the world.” Lots of cooperation Universities interested in research- ing injectable trace minerals (ITM) are abundant. Havenga has enlisted studies from, among other schools, Iowa State University, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State University, the University of Georgia, Cornell University, University of Florida, University of Illinois, as well as Kansas State University. Currently, Multimin USA has 16 vet- erinarians on staff; some are fulltime and others work as consultants. Novatech of Grand Island, Neb. produces the product at its facility, and U.S. universities con- tinue to research ITMs. Use of product Why go to an injectable trace min- eral supplement? Havenga explains that both water and soils can differ greatly in their makeup across this country; differences can vary even on the same property. Sulfur in the water, molasses- based supplements and distiller’s grains are good examples. They can tie up other minerals, causing an imbalance when all else seems right. Rations vary; least-cost diets are always preferred, and often can cause deficiencies, like putting the wrong fuel in a vehicle. It is possible to see a 10- to 15-percent variation in mineral intake due to ration variations. Stressed animals should never be vac- cinated; Havenga says that poor timing is the No. 1 problem causing failure in vaccination programs. In order to reduce stress and guaran- tee uptake of trace minerals, an inject- able trace mineral product is considered cutting-edge management; injection guarantees that every animal is covered. ITMs need to be administered as soon as possible for purchased cattle, and 30 days ahead of scheduled stresses, such as calv- ing or breeding. Have you seen every one of your cows with their heads in the mineral feeder? Probably not. ITMs remove the excuse of trace mineral variability. Havenga says the University of Georgia, in particular, has been coopera- tive with Multimin USA research. The Southeastern United States has a greater problem with sick cattle than the Plains states. Damper and hotter conditions cause a greater level of stress. Southern cattle are challenged with unique para- sites year-round that can stress them even further; they need every advantage they can get to perform well and stay healthy. Dr. Lourens Havenga immigrated to the United States with his wife and son nine years ago. They relocated here for access to the large U.S. cattle population and excellent university system.