Trace elements and vitamins play a crucial role in the health status of the suckler herd. Micronutritional deficiencies usually predispose to many of the problems faced by suckler cow herds.

Vaccination failures, retained placentas, cystic ovaries, poor fertility, non-breeders, extended calving index, low immune system activity (calf scour, virus pneumonia) and non-thriving calves can all be linked to trace element deficiencies which existed 4-6 weeks prior to calving.

By improving the trace element status, along with good nutrition i.e. feeding good quality silage or equivalent in late pregnancy, can help reduce potential problems by 95% and increase the number of calves produced by the herd every twelve months and so improve profitability.

Suckler cow herds are managed in many different ways and so it is necessary to select the products at our disposal to suit individual situations.