Pre-Calving Minerals for Suckler Cows

GoodMan55985

Hi All, I have a bunch of suckler cows due from mid-march till start of April. I was wondering when would I need to start giveing them pre-calving minerals.

On giving cows daily minerals from a bag. Is there is a manufacter of this that you would recomend as the best to buy?

I heard a lad at the mart and he was saying rather than daily minerals I recommend you give them allsure bolus 6 weeks pre-calving. I have never used a bolus before so wondering do you have to get this from the vet? Is it just a injection with all the minerals in one.

Would ye lad say the bolus with minerals is better than daily minerals from a bag. I suppose the bolus would be a lot more expensive. Haven't bolus before so any advice appreciated. thanks

reilig

GoodMan55985 wrote: »

Hi All, I have a bunch of suckler cows due from mid-march till start of April. I was wondering when would I need to start giveing them pre-calving minerals.

On giving cows daily minerals from a bag. Is there is a manufacter of this that you would recomend as the best to buy?

I heard a lad at the mart and he was saying rather than daily minerals I recommend you give them allsure bolus 6 weeks pre-calving. I have never used a bolus before so wondering do you have to get this from the vet? Is it just a injection with all the minerals in one.

Would ye lad say the bolus with minerals is better than daily minerals from a bag. I suppose the bolus would be a lot more expensive. Haven't bolus before so any advice appreciated. thanks

Bolus 6 to 8 weeks before calving is my choice. It costs approx €6 per cow. Bolus is the mineral. It slow releases over time to release the mineral to the cow's internal system. Most animal medicine places will supply it.

I think its better than the bag because you can be sure that the cow is getting a proper amount of the mineral whether she likes it or not. With the dusty stuff out of the bag some cows will eat more than others - maybe some won't touch it at all.

GoodMan55985

reilig wrote: »

Bolus 6 to 8 weeks before calving is my choice. It costs approx €6 per cow. Bolus is the mineral. It slow releases over time to release the mineral to the cow's internal system. Most animal medicine places will supply it.

I think its better than the bag because you can be sure that the cow is getting a proper amount of the mineral whether she likes it or not. With the dusty stuff out of the bag some cows will eat more than others - maybe some won't touch it at all.

Thanks for the information. Do you have have the name of the bolus of a particular manufacturer that you would reccomend for use? What is the name of the bolus that you use. Thanks just want to get the best one.

bbam

In the past we used the minerals from Mayo Healthcare. Hang them in the water trough and they all drink their fill. Found it very handy, don't remember price though.

reilig

GoodMan55985 wrote: »

Thanks for the information. Do you have have the name of the bolus of a particular manufacturer that you would reccomend for use? What is the name of the bolus that you use. Thanks just want to get the best one.

http://www.magentadirect.ie/proddetail.php?prod=MVE0162&cat=23

jomoloney

reilig wrote: »

http://www.magentadirect.ie/proddetail.php?prod=MVE0162&cat=23

or go for the all sure with copper
http://www.magentadirect.ie/proddetail.php?prod=ALLSURESPOFFER

bear in mind that any animal over 550kgs needs 2 applications costing €12

one extra live calf or 1 extra cow in calf would cover the cost of a lot of boluses

GoodMan55985

jomoloney wrote: »

or go for the all sure with copper
http://www.magentadirect.ie/proddetail.php?prod=ALLSURESPOFFER

bear in mind that any animal over 550kgs needs 2 applications costing €12

one extra live calf or 1 extra cow in calf would cover the cost of a lot of boluses

That Aninax Allsure bolus is €66.60 on magenta direct (€60 plus the shipping cost), would anyone think you could get it for €60 even in one of the co-ops. Just wondering would you get better value than magentadirect. thanks

oldsmokey

Used Dairygold 'Gold' minerals last year, started 5 weeks pre calving, after a lot of misfortune with sick calves the previous year - injected with Rotavec too, mind...had a terrific calving season, lively calves, no scour...dunno was it the minerals or vaccine that helped..gonna do the same this year!
Sprinkling the mineral on the silage is only a minutes work, have a look at the stock as youre doing it!!

pakalasa

I use the Dairygold bagged minerals too. I fill those plastic mineral bottles (with a funnel) at the weekend and have them ready to sprinkle on the silage during the week. No bother.

49801

GoodMan55985 wrote: »

Thanks for the information. Do you have have the name of the bolus of a particular manufacturer that you would reccomend for use? What is the name of the bolus that you use. Thanks just want to get the best one.

Am experimenting with All Trace bolus's this year... The High Iodine version. Need to get the double bolus applicator gun though!!!

Actually think I'll still sprinkle the bag minerals on as well that has high selidium

Far as I can see the bolus is good for 6 months so am giving it to the cows as they are coming off the maize stubles and going into the shed this week... Jan feb calving