What are the benefits of supplemental vitamin and mineral supplements for cows? Let’s review the benefits and signs of deficiency. In addition, we’ll explore the cost of supplementation and the various types of vitamins. Listed below are some tips to help you choose the best vitamins for cows. Also, keep in mind that you can always get them from your veterinarian or feed store. If you need more information, visit our Vitamins for Cows page for more information.
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Vitamins A, D and E
The deficiency of Vitamin A, D and E in cows is often traced back to low levels of these nutrients in the placenta. Cows must ingest these nutrients from the mother through milk and colostrum to make up for the deficiency. Cows with low vitamin A, D and E levels have low milk and colostrum production, which is a sign that these nutrients are deficient in the cow. Vitamin D levels are generally low in cows, as they need to be exposed to adequate sunlight.
A supplementary vitamin A supplement can be given to cows during the last 45 days before calving and the first two months of lactation. Although this method will mitigate the low levels of this vitamin in native range and harvested forages, it also increases the incidence of white muscle disease in newborn calves. However, there are other ways to supply these vitamins to cows. While some farmers choose to supplement vitamin A with supplements, others prefer to feed cows with vitamin A in a form that allows the milk to be collected and processed for human consumption.
Common signs of deficiency
There are several common signs of vitamin deficiency in cow: loss of appetite, rough hair coat, brisket swelling, and decreased feed efficiency. Although some cows can survive on deficient feed for up to six months, some can’t survive and develop signs of vitamin deficiency for over a year. Fortunately, vitamin supplements for cows and their calves are easily and inexpensively available, and cattle producers can supplement their animals to address vitamin deficiencies.
When calves suffer from mineral deficiency, they may not be able to get the vaccinations they need. Most vaccines are designed for cows with the appropriate mineral levels, so they’re less effective in calves with mineral deficiencies. While the calf may still be alive, the average mineral deficiency in a calf results in a 20 to 35-pound loss. Severe deficiency in cows can cause weight loss of 50 pounds or more.
Symptoms
There are several symptoms that can indicate a lack of a particular vitamin in a cow, including lowered fertility, abnormal calving, lowered calf growth rate, and milk fever. In breeding cows, a vitamin A deficiency can also result in the cow’s inability to settle down and produce milk. Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in cattle can vary depending on the type of feed a cow receives.
One of the most common symptoms of rickets in cattle is soft and porous bones. The calf may show signs of decreased appetite, stiff gait, weakness, and labored breathing. Later symptoms include swollen joints, which are easily broken. The disease is a fatal condition that can affect cows of any age, from newborns to mature cattle. Vitamin E deficiency can lead to a wide range of symptoms.
Cost of supplementation
While vitamins are essential for cattle, the cost of supplying them in sufficient amounts has long been neglected by nutritionists. In the past, vitamin costs per cow were affordable and the cost per day was not a large concern. However, a fire at a chemical factory cut production by 40 percent of feed grade vitamin A and 30 percent for vitamin E. This intermediate can no longer be produced, and prices for both vitamins have skyrocketed.
In addition to the costs of vitamin supplementation, the consumption of mineral supplements is another significant expense. While many mineral supplements are packaged in 50-pound bags, a beef cow consumes almost two of these bags per year. At four ounces per day, this can mean that the price of the supplement per head is about double. Adding salt to the mineral mix or moving the feeder farther away from water sources can also reduce the amount of supplementation required.
