Now that calving season is over, it’s time to focus on raising healthy, productive calves. You can improve herd performance through proven nutrition, resulting in healthier calves, better immune function and heavier calf weaning weights that ultimately drives more profitability.
Weaning is the first major stress event in a calf’s life, and many calves will experience reduced feed intake and immune challenges during this period. The stress of weaning combined with poor feed intake can weaken the immune system as the limited energy and nutrients they consume are prioritized for maintenance and growth. Providing the right nutrition helps calves better cope with these stressors. This attention to early nutrition supports their immune system and encourages healthier, more profitable growth during this pivotal period.
Why Calf Immunity is Important in Development
Building a robust immune system is key to reducing morbidity in your herd. But did you know that a calf’s immunity starts before she is even born? Producers have identified that early nutritional support, particularly around immune health, plays a crucial role in profitability and herd performance.
Organic trace minerals are essential for cows producing colostrum which plays a vital role in enhancing the calves’ daily immune function. Zinpro® Availa® 4, a combination of zinc, manganese, copper and cobalt, is an organic trace mineral source that provides unrivalled mineral absorption. Feeding Zinpro Availa 4 improves calf health and wellbeing and is proven to improve cow colostrum quality by 28%, providing the calf with a stronger immune system.
Investing in proven mineral nutrition year-round offers peace of mind that calves are set up for the healthiest lives possible. Feeding your beef cows proven nutrition with unrivalled mineral absorption enables a better pull-through response from the cow to the calf, establishing immunity before and after weaning.
Increase Calf Weaning Weight with Zinpro®
A good weaning weight is a key indicator of a healthy calf. Achieving this goal is closely tied to the calf’s immunity, which is influenced by the cow’s overall health. Cow health, stress, immunity and nutrition impact the calf’s ability to thrive and gain weight from birth to weaning. Proper trace mineral supplementation is critical, both during pregnancy and while the cow is raising the calf to ensure weaning is successful.
Since forage is the primary feed source for range cattle, it’s important to understand what your pasture provides and where it falls short. This applies especially to trace minerals, which are vital for both cow and calf performance. Zinc, for example, is often deficient in forages and must be supplemented to ensure your herd reaches its full potential.
Incorporating Zinpro Availa 4 into your herd’s diet improves mineral absorption and helps cows wean heavier calves – up to 28 pounds. Supplementing essential trace minerals to both pre-weaned and weaned calves, you create a profitability safety net during the stressful weaning process.
Set the Foundation for Strong Health
The foundation of good, strong health begins early in a calf’s life, and proper nutrition, including the right trace minerals, plays a pivotal role in ensuring calves can thrive. Incorporating Zinpro® Performance Minerals® into your nutrition plan provides essential support to cows and calves. Zinpro improves colostrum quality, boosts immune function and encourages healthier growth, which are all critical to reducing morbidity and maximizing weaning weight. By prioritizing immunity and growth from the start, you set your calves on a path to success, enhancing both their health and your operation’s bottom line.
Connect with a Zinpro beef team member to learn how Zinpro solutions can support your weaning program.
FAQ
