injectable micro-minerals (multimin®) prove to be an

INJECTABLE MICRO-MINERALS
(MULTIMIN®) PROVE TO BE AN EFFECTIVE
AND ESSENTIAL ROUTE OF MICRO-MINERAL
SUPPLEMENTATION
FOR
LACTATING DAIRY COWS.
Dr Neil Michael, DVM, Angela Storch, MS, Willie Smith, PhD
INTRODUCTION:
Optimizing micro-mineral functions in high producing dairy cows is essential, especially at the
three critical events in the annual production/reproduction cycle, namely dry off, calving and
breeding. However, recent micro-mineral (TM) research and scientific reviews indicate the
micro-mineral status of dairy cows and consequently the efficiency of micro-mineral dependent
functions are sub-optimal at these critical stages. Several factors decrease the efficiency of
micro-mineral supplementation through TMR's, grain mixes and free choice mineral
supplements.
Hutjens & Tomlinson, (2001) suggest, at the producer level, practical supplementation of dairy
cows during the early dry period and three weeks before calving and heifers from pregnancy
diagnosis until moving in the close-up group, is often poor. The total, actual days in the close-up
group by many animals is too short to correct for poor trace mineral intakes during the early dry
period as dry matter intake is significantly decreased during the transition period.
Free-choice mineral supplements have limitations as a route to supply essential micro-minerals
to dairy cows during the early dry period due to intake variation and antagonisms between
minerals. McDowell (2003) attributes the large variation in intake of free choice supplements
between animals to, among others, the following factors; producer management level, soil
fertility, forage type, season of year, availability of other supplements and grains or feeds, salt
content of drinking water, antagonist content in mineral supplement, palatability of mineral
supplement etc.
The negative effects micro-mineral antagonists, located in drinking water, pasture, feeds and
free-choice supplements, have on the efficiency of micro-mineral absorption from the digestive
tract of ruminants is commonly underestimated. High levels of calcium, phosphorous, iron,
sulphur, and molybdenum are known to decrease the efficiency of absorption of the essential
micro-minerals, zinc, manganese, selenium and copper from the gut. The degree of absorption
suppression depends on the type and amount of antagonists. Arthington (2003) considers the
excess antagonists effects, on the absorption of essential micro-minerals from the gut, as the
most important factor resulting in ruminants sub-optimal micro-mineral status.
The above factors suggest an alternative route of essential micro-mineral supplementation in
dairy cattle should be implemented in micro-mineral supplementation programs on commercial
dairy operations. Tissue-friendly injectable supplements, containing key micro-mineral levels in
a scientifically correct ratio, have been shown to significantly increase micro-mineral status.
Results have demonstrated increased immunocompetence
at calving and enhanced
reproductive efficiency in dairy cows, especially during the first 100 days in milk (DIM).
Mitchell (2003) showed cows receiving two injections (one 4 weeks before calving and one 4
weeks before breeding) had a 22% reduction in mastitis during the first 30 DIM and conception
increased significantly resulting in an improved pregnancy rate from18 to 20%, with a return on
investment (ROI) of 19:1.
2
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of two micro-mineral injections
(each supplying 200 mg zinc, 50 mg manganese, 25 mg selenium and 75 mg copper) one 4
weeks before calving and one 4 weeks before breeding on micro-mineral dependent functions in
addition to feed micro-mineral supplementation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A well managed dairy herd in Waunakee, Wisconsin (750 cows; 27800lbs RHA; 3X milking),
with less than average mastitis and other immune responsive disorders and better than average
reproduction efficiency, was selected for this study. At the start of the trial the herd averaged a
heat detection rate of 65% and an annualized pregnancy rate (PR) of 16%.
The feeding regime and supplementary micro-mineral/vitamin program was regarded as
adequate. The ration was formulated to contain the following micro-mineral levels (ppm):
cobalt-1.21, copper-27, iodine-3.4, manganese-89, zinc-95 and selenium-0.5. Micro-minerals
were supplemented utilizing an inorganic trace mineral package combined with Zinpro' s 4Plex'P'. Iron was not supplemented, but it was estimated the feedstuffs in the total diet
contributed 183ppm.
Dairy Comp 305 software was used to track injections, monitor trial progress and collect data.
The trial took place from January 2003 to December 2003 with January 2003 to January 2004
data analyzed.
Cows with odd ID's (n=278) were injected with 5mL Multimin® (MM- treatment group) 3 to 4
weeks prior to expected calving date and 3 to 4 before the end of the voluntary waiting period
(VWP = 45DIM). Cows with even ID's (n=311) were injected with 8mL of MuSe™ (MScontrol group) at 3 to 4 weeks before expected calving date. Control cows received MS as part
of the dairy's standard management procedures
Statistical methods and Data analysis
Cow events occurring up to 150-200 DIM were used in the analysis to focus on the critical
period for treatment efficacy. Pregnancy data were classified in a contingency table according to
binomial outcome (pregnant or open by DIM cohorts) for each of the two treatments (MM and
MS). Chi-squared tests were performed to test the null-hypotheses of independence between the
two factors (x - treatment and y - pregnancy result) as follows:
Ho: Whether a cow becomes pregnant or not within a given time is independent of the treatment
she received.
When the Chi-squared value is significant (P<0.05) the null-hypotheses of independence is
rejected.
Health (lameness and retained placentas) and milk quality (mastitis) related incidences were
summarized as total number of events by treatment and statistically tested using Chi-Square as
mentioned above.
Regression Analysis was used to determine the median days open (MDOPN- DIM when 50% of
the herd is open) for each treatment and calculate the respective 95% confidence limits, The
regression of percent open on DIM is nonlinear. When percent open is subjected to inverse of Ln
transformation the nonlinear relation becomes a straight line. Linear regression analysis was
performed for each treatment with DIM as independent variable and l/(percent Open) or Ln
(Open) as dependant variable.
3
Costs of two injections ofMM and economic value of improved reproductive efficiency were
used to calculate a return on investment and impact on dairy profitability.
RESUL TS AND DISCUSSION:
No difference was seen in mastitis incidences between the cows receiving MM and those
receiving MS. As referenced in Mitchell (2003), research has shown a correlation between
increased selenium content in blood and reduced cases of mastitis. Additional research showed
increased keratin production in the teat with organic zinc supplementation. The current dairy
provided all cows with organic zinc ration supplementation and control cows received MS, an
additional source of selenium, which may have affected the overall results.
Cows receiving MM tended to have lower incidences of retained placentas (RP) n=28 versus
control cows n=38 (P=0.29). Although not statistical, decreased RP events may indicate not only
selenium, but also zinc, copper and/or manganese are involved in the prevention of retained
placentas. Alternatively, selenium in MM was utilized more efficiently within the balanced
multi-mineral formulation compared to only selenium in MS.
Cows receiving MM tended to have lower incidences of lameness reported n=8 versus control
cows n=16 (P=O.13). Although it was not significant, it represents the potential ofMM to
improve nutritional balance or micro-mineral status and therefore hoof health.
Percent Cows Pregnant (within a specific time frame) of all MM treated cows trended higher
than the percent cows pregnant of control cows at days 80, 90, 100,110,120,130,140 and 150 in
milk (Fig. 1). Values approached significance (P<.05) at 80, 140 and 150 DIM.
Figure1 : The Effect of MUL TIMIN® vs MuSe on Percent Cows
Pregnant (all cows) at Days 80,90,100,110,120,130,140 & 150 in
Milk
c:
III
c:
..
65 l
--
60
--
55 ./
C)
CII
0..
50
III
;:
45
0
-..
0
c:
...,
CII
30
25
DMuSe
a MULTIMIN
Dp=
1-
T
-
-
-
f--
-
f------
-
1-
-
-
-
1-
-
35
1-
f--
,-
40
CII
0..
f--
-
f--
-
f--
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
30.4
35.2
41.7
44.8
49.1
51.3
53
55.2
39.1
42.3
47.9
53
55.8
59.5
61.9
64.2
0.05 60.1230.1 91 0.0820.1 580.081
O.06 0.054
Days In Milk
L_
The percentage increase in pregnancy production resulting from the two MM injections was very
similar to that found by Mitchell (2003) indicating injectable micro-mineral supplementation
helps increase optimal micro-mineral status and therefore improved reproductive performance.
4
The effect ofMM on percent pregnant (within a specific time frame) was enhanced in second
lactation cows, also seen by Mitchell (2003) (Figure 2). This difference was highly significant
(P<O.Ol) early in lactation.
Figure 2 : The Effect of MULTIMIN®vs MuSe on percent=owsJ
Pregnant
in
Second
Lactation
Cows
on
Days
80,90,100,110,120,130,140 & 150 in Milk
~55
'E
ctI
c:
I!!
Il.
~
o
0
c:
Ql
e
Ql
Il.
f-
50
Cl
~
45
-
40
35
l-
I-
I-
-
I--
I--
I--
~
~
I--
1-
-
I-
~
~
f-----
1-
/-
30 / 25
20
I
~
--
/
("
~
J
-
~
-
130
140
150
80
90
100
21.7
25
29.4 35.9 40.2 43.5 44.6 48.9
110 1120
o MuSe
o MULTIMIN
40.8 ! 44.8 47.4 48.47
50
Dp=
0.01 0.01 0.02 0.09
0.2
54
56.6 59.2
0.18 0.12 0.18
Days In Milk
Increased conception and pregnancy production resulted in a decrease in MDOPN from 119 days
in the MS group to 99 days in the MM group (P<O.05) (Figure 3).
Figure 3. The effect of MULTlMIN® on days open in All Cows between 80
and 200 days in milk of which the regression analysis were used to
calculate the 95% confidence limits in decreased Median days Open.
70~---
60~~
e
__ ~------------------------------------------~
50
Ql
C-
O
'$. 40
30
20
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
DIM
Controlc::::::r MM-Log.
(Control)-Log.
(M'MfJ
200
5
Second lactation cows receiving MM experienced_similar improved reproductive efficiency with
MDOPN decreased to 100 DIM from 147 DIM for MS treated cows (P<0.05) (Figure 4).
Figure 4. The effect of Multimin® on days open in Second Lactation
Cows between 80 and 200 days in milk of which the regression analysis
were used to calculate the 95% confidence limits in decreased Median
Days Open
BO~~---------------------------------------------,
70
+---IIm1--__'~E.:------
60~.~~~4m~~~--------------------------------~
30·
20
80
90
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200
DIM
Control
c::3J MM
-Log.
(Control)
-Log.
(MM)
Improved reproduction efficiency by decreasing MDOPN and increasing percent pregnant
(within a specific time frame) can be of economic value for producers. The value of reduced
MDOPN is worth approximately $2.50 per cow per day. The reduction in MDOPN (all cows) of
20 days found in this study is estimated to be worth approximately $50 per animal per year.
With the cost oftwo MM injections at $4 ($2 per injection), the approximate return on
investment is 12.5: 1.
CONCLUSION:
Trial results indicate the efficiency of micro-mineral functions in dairy cows on an "adequate"
feed micro-mineral program can be enhanced significantly by the addition of two Multimin'"
injections to the management program given at critical stress periods, 4 weeks before expected
calving date and 4 weeks before breeding.
Reductions in retained placentas and lameness events indicate a possible improvement in
regulation of immune competence in Multimin ® supplemented animals during the transition and
early breeding period.
Percent cows pregnant in the Multimin® supplemented group trended higher than their peers
receiving MuSe™, especially during early lactation where there was a significant reduction in
Median Days Open. Improved reproductive efficiency is a financial benefit to producers,
returning cows to the decreasing the calving interval, providing additional replacements,
returning animals to the next lactation sooner, ultimately more peak milk production.
6
REFERENCES:
ABS Global Technical Services Team, 2002. Pregnancies: A Profitability Driver on a Dairy.
ABS Breeders Journal, June 2002, p2.
Arthington, J., 2003. Mineral antagonism may influence copper deficiencies. Feedstuffs, June 16,
2003, pI1.
Hutjens, M.F. & Tomlinson, D.J., 2001. Nutrition important in transition feeding programs.
Feedstuffs, December 31,2001, p9.
Me Dowell, L.R., 2003. Grazing ruminants require free-choice minerals. Feedstuffs, November
17,2003, p12.
Mitchell, K., 2003. Case Study (Case 1). Trace Minerals and Dairy Cattle. Bovine Veterinarian,
September 2003, p32 and 34.
Snedecor, G.W. & Cochran, W.G., 1980. Statistical Methods, 7th Edition, The Iowa State
University Press, Ames.