As we approach the Fall season, many beef producers are considering preconditioning and weaning programs for their spring born calves. The beef industry spends a lot of time discussing weaning stress during this time of year. Freshly weaned calves undergo a plethora of events that contribute to their stress load. Some of these events can include transportation, vaccination, comingling, and exposure to disease. Positioning an appropriate supplement prior to and/or at arrival can help ensure calves keep eating, promote rumen function and support intake of essential nutrients for calf performance.
Proper nutrition is critical as newly received calves cope with the stressors of weaning. Quality Liquid Feeds (QLF) has developed a palatable Ignite Stress Mineral tub that that contains high-quality nutrients such as sugars, specific trace minerals, high levels of vitamins and postbiotics to support immune function and gut health.
The Ignite Stress tub contains high level of cane molasses that attracts calves with aroma and palatability. This aromatic supplement encourages calves to lick the surface of the tub upon arrival. This licking action promotes saliva production. The saliva produced contains natural buffers to keep rumen pH at a desirable level to reduce the incident of acidosis. Another benefit of producing saliva is that it encourages water intake at a time when calves may be dehydrated.
The organic trace mineral package and high vitamin E levels included in the Ignite Stress Mineral tub help to support immune systems both before and after weaning. Optimizing trace mineral nutrition during weaning can help to decrease negative impacts of stress on performance, improve trace mineral reserves and allow calves to be better equipped to withstand disease exposure. The Ignite Stress Mineral tub is formulated with Zinpro Performance Minerals. Data would suggest that supplementing calves with Zinpro Performance Minerals prior to entering the feedlot showed a 36% decrease in sickness over the total feeding period compared to calves fed ordinary minerals. (Graph 1). Calves fed Zinpro Performance Minerals during a 28-day receiving period had a 12% higher average daily gain than those fed ordinary minerals. (Graph 2).
The Ignite Stress tub contains proprietary postbiotics developed by Diamond V. These postbiotics consist of numerous beneficial metabolites, beta glucans, and mannan oligosaccharides. These bioactive compound work synergistically to support calf immunity, health and growth performance. A recent meta-analysis (Wagner et al. 2016) would suggest that calves fed Diamond V products during the first 32 days on feed had a 5.8% increase in average daily gain (P < 0.05) and 2.0% improvement in gain/feed (P < 0.05).
Don’t forget! The Ignite Stress Mineral tub can be positioned to the cowherd, also. Late gestation and calving can be considered the most stressful time for mature cows. Prior to calving, maternal nutrient demands are on the rise. These nutrients are needed for developing the mammary gland, fetus growth and preparing the uterus just prior to calving. At calving, nutrient requirements are at their absolute highest. These nutrients are needed to support lactation, repair reproductive tissues, enhance conception and support early embryonic development. Providing an Ignite Stress Mineral tub prior to, and at calving can provide essential organic trace minerals and elevated vitamins needed to support increased maternal and fetal nutrient demands.
As you begin to prepare your calves for preconditioning and weaning in the next few weeks, consider the benefits offered with QLF’s Ignite Stress Mineral tub. Reach out to your local QLF District Sales Manager to discuss how our Ignite supplements can fit into your program.