Vitamins for cattle: top 4 essentials, when to start and how to give correctly

Quality balanced nutrition is the key to the he alth and normal development of the animal. Without enough vitamins for cattle, even very good keeping conditions will not lead to the desired results. Beneficial trace elements help boost immunity and promote high performance in bulls. The age and weight of the animals should be taken into account when formulating the daily diet in order to correctly set the amounts of supplements.

The importance of vitamins for cattle

Even with good nutrition, animals require special supplements. These substances are useful for the milk received from the cow, which has a positive effect on milk yield. They also improve metabolism, strengthen immunity, and have a positive effect on the reproductive function of cattle.

Signs and at the same time the consequences of a lack of useful trace elements are:

• the surface of the udder and genitals becomes icteric;
• wool quality deteriorates;
• skin loses elasticity;
• animals become lethargic;
• cows (including fatteners) gain weight poorly;
• vision deteriorates;
• metabolism is disturbed;
• in calves, bone growth is disturbed, limb deformity occurs;
• gums bleed;
• wool thins, ulcers appear on the skin.

All this confirms the importance of vitamins for the he alth and normal development of cattle. The microflora of the gastrointestinal tract produces a certain proportion of organic components, but their quantity is not enough to replenish the resources.

Variety and role of individual vitamins

Bioregulators A, D, B12, E largely determine the he alth status of livestock, affect the formation of the animal's body. Useful trace elements are needed not only for calves, but also for adults.

Each of these components helps the organs to perform their functions correctly.

Vitamin A

Otherwise, retinol. The source of the trace element is plant food, where the vitamin is represented by carotene. Once in the body, the substance is transformed into retinol, which ensures the functioning of the eyes and cells. With its deficiency, the following problems occur:

1. Impaired vision and coordination.
2. Eye inflammation.
3. Reduces resistance to infections of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system.
4. Complicated pregnancy and birth of blind calves.
5. Disruption of the reproductive system: delayed ovarian development, low sperm motility.
6. Loss of reproductive function in bulls.
7. CNS dysfunction.
8. Death of calves in winter.

Vitamin A is essential for dairy cows. The stronger the lactation, the more retinol is required.

Vitamin D

With a lack of an element, calcium absorption becomes impossible, which leads to the development of rickets in young animals. The source of the element is sunlight. In winter, when it is deficient, cows are irradiated with an ultraviolet lamp, which makes it possible to compensate for the deficiency of the component.

Signs of deficiency of this element are:

1. Curvature of the limbs in calves.
2. Violation of the digestive tract, loss of appetite.
3. Tooth loss in young and lactating cows.
4. Partial paralysis after calving.
5. Violent animal behavior.

Feeding cows with vitamin D increases lactation, which has a positive effect on milk yields.

Vitamin B12

This component is not contained in plant foods. The lack of a substance leads to the following consequences:

1. Metabolic and liver disorders.
2. Milk fever.
3. Bad coordination.
4. Excitability.
5. Skin diseases (eczema).
6. Problems with reproductive function.
7. Anemia.
8. Growth slowdown.
9. Emaciation.
10. Birth of weak offspring.

Saturation of the body with vitamin B12 promotes muscle building, which is especially important for beef cows.

Vitamin E

Signs of deficiency of this component are:

1. Poor fat gain in calves.
2. Slow growth and development, leading to wasting, muscle atrophy, paralysis.
3. Violation of the cardiovascular system.
4. Improper functioning of the reproductive organs:

• loss of fertilization in bulls, ovarian retardation in cows;
• failure to produce he althier offspring;
• inability to get pregnant;
• hidden abortion (embryo resorption).

And yet, despite the listed symptoms, it is practically impossible to detect a lack of vitamin E without the help of specialists.In adults, deficiency of the element is rare. Bioregulator E is used in combination with vitamin A: the components influence each other and enhance the effect of each of them.

At what age can vitamins be given

Young animals receive the necessary amount of vitamins from the moment of birth. The source is cow's milk. However, if the birth took place in autumn-winter, the lack of nutrients should be compensated by adding vitamin complexes for newborns to milk.

Daily Value

The daily amount of bioregulators is calculated based on the animal's body weight and planned productivity. The daily norm of vitamin A is 30-40 or 35-45 IU. The volume of vitamin D should be present in the diet of cattle in the amount of 5 to 7.5 IU. Bioregulator E is added in the amount of 100-200 mg.

The rate of carotene varies between 350-450 mg. The rate of consumption of carotene in young heifers is 30-105 mg per day, and bulls - 30-125 mg. The daily dose of bioregulator D is 10-15 thousand IU.

How to feed calves properly

Vitamin supplements are offered as powders that are mixed with food. If this is not enough, the drugs are administered intramuscularly, intravenously or subcutaneously. The best supplements are:

• “Gavryusha premix for calves”;
• "Biomix for calves Standard";
• "Solvimin Selenium".

As for injections, they begin to be administered from six months. Injections are also given to bulls for faster growth. Popular supplements include:

• Trivit;
• Tetravit;
• "Eleovit".

Direct Source Vitamins:

• milk (gives young animals all the necessary ingredients);
• hay (calves receive vitamins D, B3, carotene);
• fresh grass (source of bioregulators E, B2, B3)
• carrots (rich in carotene);
• grain (includes B1, B5).

How to combine vitamin intake with feeding

Powders are usually mixed with feed. Obviously, injections do not depend on normal nutrition, so the question of combining does not arise. The main task of the farmer is to provide young individuals with a daily dose of useful trace elements, regardless of the form in which they are given to animals. It is important to diversify the diet of cattle by adding vegetables, root crops and compound feed to the diet.

When compiling daily portions, the weight and age of the cattle are taken into account.

Vitamins are useful substances that directly affect the growth and development of animals.Deficiency of one or another bioregulator leads to diseases and deviations, and also reduces productivity - the amount of milk yield and meat that can be obtained from cattle. Therefore, it is important to notice signs of a lack of components and promptly restore the amount of bioregulators necessary for the body.

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