When one becomes a farmer, it's hard to imagine all of the breeding and pregnancy issues one is going to be dealing with. After all, ‘the birds and bees' is what makes the cycle of life work on the farm – especially for a farm like ours. Sheep are bred each year for lambs that we will raise for meat, for example. The ‘birds and the bees' have to do their thing in order for that to happen successfully.
Likewise, in order for a dairy cow to produce milk, she needs to produce a calf. The calf is then weaned from it's mother and the cow is milked continually until a few months before she is set to calve once again. Ideally, this happens on a yearly cycle. The cow is bred, pregnant for nine months, gives birth to a calf, is bred back three months later, and continues to be milked while pregnant. The cow will likely be dried up for the last three months of her pregnancy, which allows her body a time of rest before calving.
It's the circle of the milking life, baby.
Unfortunately, our dear dairy cow has been in the milking cycle for too long without getting bred. It's not that she CAN'T be bred, but as you are all aware, we've had a heck of a time gettin' her and a beau together – either in the bovine form or in the AI tech form. It's just been challenging where we're located to find what we need. Even though Hiro, a beautiful Dexter bull, spent part of the summer with us, Sally was still open at the end of it all. Part of that was my fault, as I didn't ensure she stood for him (she's never been naturally bred before) by tying her up. Secondly, they were only together for two heat cycles which just wasn't enough to settle – and that's normal.
That being said, Hiro is coming back in a few days and this time, I wanted to make sure I'd done everything in my power to get Sally bred. So I consulted with a friend of mine who also had struggles getting her dairy cow bred, for one reason or another.
(No one tells you this stuff before you have a cow, so I'm telling you now: getting a single, family, dairy cow bred is tough work man! Be prepared!)
This friend of mine (Hey Ashley!) went through all the same struggles that we'd gone through and ultimately, their cow's struggle to be bred back came down to nutrition. Because of the state of our nation's soil it's very common for our crops to be deficient in minerals and cows are extreeeeemly sensitive to mineral deficiencies. Because we're in the process of building our pasture irrigation system, Sally has been on hay (and small bits of leggy, poor pasture) since her arrival on the farm. We're in works to great a lush, green pasture environment for her grazing pleasure but in the meantime, she's been living off a grass hay/alfalfa hay that we get locally. And I'm not saying it's bad hay. I'm just sayin' I have no idea the state of the farmer's soils or what minerals he may or may not be lacking. If the soil is lacking, the hay is lacking. And if the hay is lacking, then Sally will be lacking. And if Sally is lacking, then… well… you can see where this is going.
I wanted to make sure she was in optimal condition for breeding. And so, we took a big financial leap, and ordered a loose 16-mineral supplement program through this company.
16 minerals for Sally to choose from. Cows are incredibly smart and will take what they need, and only as much as they need, when they need it. Essentially, it's like a mineral salad bar for Sally. Instead of flopping down a pre-made and rationed salt and mineral lick, we provide her with individual minerals that she can consume in her own time at her own free will. She instinctually knows what she needs.
16 Loose Minerals For Dairy Cattle Include:
– Vitamin A, D, & E Mix
Healthy Tissue Growth – Three very important vitamins in animal nutrition are A, D, and E. Vitamin A maintains the skin and the linings of the digestive, respiratory and reproductive tracts. Healthy tissues resist invasion by disease. Vitamin A is needed for normal sight and to prevent night blindness. Colostrum is high in Vitamin A. Vitamin D is the “Sunshine Vitamin.” It presents rickets and is essential for proper bone growth and consistent reproduction. It is linked importantly with calcium-phosphorus utilization. Vitamin E aids in absorbing and storage of Vitamin A. It is a part of enzyme and hormone systems. If you are having breed back or cleaning problems it could be a lack of available Vitamin A and/or Selenium.
– BCV Mix
BVC-Mix is a B-Vitamin complex blended with bacteria, kelp, and trace minerals, buffers and herbs for digestive aid. It also assists with Nerves and Stress
– Calcium
Bone Growth and Vigor – Calcium is necessary, along with phosphorus, for sturdy bones and teeth, and for maximum growth, gain and production. Calcium regulates how well tissue cells absorb nutrients and is vital in the blood gain and production. Calcium and phosphorus team up together in a ratio of approximately one or two parts calcium to one part phosphorus. Vitamin D is necessary for proper utilization of these minerals.
– Copper
Iron and Copper work together to form hemoglobin in the blood. Deficiencies cause depraved appetites in cattle, anemia and calves born weak or dead. Problems Associated with a Lack of Copper Include: All Fungal Diseases, Anemia, Cow Pox, Diarrhea, Dermatitis, Failure to Breed, Foot Rot & Foot Abscesses, Herpes, Johne's Disease, Lowered Immune, Liver Fluke, Lump Jaw, Open Knees, Osteoporosis, Ring Worm, Staph Infections, Worms.
– Iodized Salt
Metabolism Regulation – Approximately half of the iodine in the body is located in the thyroid glands, which produce important hormones, such as thyroxin, which have a regulating affect on the body metabolism. Thyrotoxin, which contains 65% iodine, is also concerned in growth, development and reproductive process. Iodine deficiency causes birth of weak and deformed offspring which fail to survive, abortion, infertility and other reproductive problems. Severe iodine deficiency results in goiter or lumpy jaw.
– Potassium
Proper Growth & Nerve Response Factors Affecting Vitamin A Consumption –Potassium is required by the animal body for normal nutrition and is linked with calcium and phosphorus in bone building processes. Its presence affects feed efficiency by aiding rumen bacterial growth and proper cell pressure for nutrient utilization. Muscle and nerves need potassium for proper maintenance.
– Magnesium
Bone and Blood Development – Magnesium improves calcium and phosphorus metabolism and calcification of bone. Magnesium is needed by the body in relatively small amounts but is very important to life. About 70% of the magnesium in the body is in the bone, combined with calcium and phosphorus. Muscle contains more magnesium than calcium. Magnesium is present in the blood, organs and tissue fluids of the body. Conditions induced by a deficiency of magnesium (w/Calcium) include Grass Tetany, Milk Fever, Mastitis, Acetonemia, Arthritis, Founder Warts, Soft Teeth, Bent/Deformed Bones and Nervous Behavior.
– Phosphorus
Growth and Reproduction – Phosphorus and calcium together make up 75% of the total amount of minerals in the bodies of farm animals, 90% of the minerals in the skeleton and half of the minerals in milk. Phosphorus is especially important as more bodily functions are tied to it than to any other nutrient. Besides building strong bones and teeth, it is an important part of many proteins, including the casein in milk. Phosphorus regulates enzyme activity and helps maintain vital pressure balances between cells. If a cow is starved of phosphorus, she is very unlikely to bear a calf. Phosphorus is the only mineral known to significantly affect the eating quality of beef.
– Sulfer
Protein Formation – Sulfer is necessary for the life of animals, for it is an essential part of most proteins. A deficiency limits non-protein nitrogen utilization. Sulfur aids in production of healthy hair coats and in hoof and horn development. Cattle that are sulfur deficient may have lice, ticks or other exterior parasites. They will not digest their feed properly as lack of sulfur interferes with the action of the amino acids, especially cysteine and methionine. Growing animals will not progress as well as they should if sulfur is missing. Sulfur is also needed by the calf in utero in the last two months of pregnancy.
– Trace Minerals/Selenium
Immune System Health – Trace Elements: Catalyst and Enzyme Systems – Trace elements iron, copper, cobalt, zinc and manganese are minor but essential minerals in live stock nutrition. Need for trace element supplementation has increased in recent years due to the gradual depletion of minerals in farm soils. Manganese affects the metabolism of calcium and carbohydrates. Cobalt is needed to enable Rumen bacteria to synthesize Vitamin B12. Cobalt deficiency causes loss of appetite, weakness and anemia. Deficiency further decreases fertility and milk production. Selenium is essential for Vitamin E metabolism. Iron(along with Copper) is essential to form hemoglobin in the blood.
– Zinc
Zinc helps to increase gains through good feed efficiency. Deficiency causes poor growth, weak legs, skin lesions. Zinc also helps build a healthier immune system. Lack of Zinc causes reproduction and cleaning problems.
– Selenium Top Choice Mix
– Buffer
The Buffer Plus is very successful in counteracting low rumen pH and increases utilization of protein. The combination of sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium make this a very valuable additive to the ration. A dose of enzyme is added to facilitate bacterial growth in the rumen. One ounce per head per day of Buffer Plus will provide the same buffering as 4-6 ounces of sodium bicarbonate, plus it will produce a remarkable increase in the rumen ‘bug’ crop
– Redmond Salt
– MOP Organic Mix
– G.R.P. Mix
Everything a dairy cow could ask for and more. What a treat!
In order to feed the supplements to Sally, we had to design a mineral feeder that we could put in the only shelter we've got for her – our milking parlor. Stuart designed a simple feeder that utilized a 2×4, some serious bolts, and these little buckets (which may need to be replaced with stronger buckets in the future… pending how badly she messes with them). Each bucket holds a separate mineral and is clearly marked so that we can document which minerals she's taking and how much of them she's eating. This way, as we need to replace them, we can just purchase the minerals we need.
It was pretty simple to construct them, once we figured out the best way to do it. Though it wasn't without it's hazards. Sorry honey:
After that, we bolted them to the walls, low enough that she couldn't scratch her shoulders on them or put the weight of her head onto the bucket. Cows have a tendency to mess around with things in their pen. So far so good – I'm crossing my fingers that she leaves them alone. Stinker.
Ironically, dairy cows can also have a very hard time getting bred if they're too fat – which is often the case with family cows. Because we only have one to care for, people tend to over feed their cows and grow them into obese ‘ol ladies that really have a hard time ovulating. I've even had a few people email me to tell me I needed to put more fat on Sally Belle.
I disagree.
Sally's overall condition seems to be at a great stage for breeding. Because dairy cows put all their extra calories into producing milk, it's very common for them to have that ‘skinny' look when really, it's just how they're built. We're not fattening cattle for slaughter here people – and a family cow isn't supposed to look the same as a steer ready for harvest.
Thus far, she's really taken to the buffer mix, phosphorus, iodine, and BCV mix. Girlfriend must have been deficient in somethin'. I'm happy to see her partaking of the goodies.
Only time will tell if a mineral deficiency was causing any sort of reproduction problems with Sally. Like I said before, it's common for cows to take a few cycles to settle with a bull and it could have just been the case that she didn't have enough time with her man (after all, their cycles are about 21 days long, only 24 hours of which they're in standing heat for). Still, I'm glad to know that Sally has all of the important minerals and vitamins that she needs to be healthy for many years to come.
We love this cow. It's our privilege and duty to care for her.
I think these loose minerals are a great step in the right direction.
Candice
So it’s essentially a prenatal for a dairy cow? That rocks!!
Angela/Parisienne Farmgirl
Wow. This is awesome and über informative. I thought I took good care of MY animals. This is so cool. Only you could make buckets and minerals interesting. 🙂
Ashley Hedrick Browning
Great job! The minerals have worked wonders for us….not only in the area of reproduction. Right after calving, our cows munch through bags of A mix for tissue growth…their poor teats!
Monique
Hi,
So what are the different minerals you’re putting in the different buckets? Where are you getting all of them?
Thank you,
Monique
Lisa Hamm
She mentioned all of that information in the blog.
Lisa
Are you serious right now!?!?! Did you even read the article. She pretty much fraking spelled ioit every single thing including what it was for. Smh. I just cant do stupid.
Camille
I also get people telling me mine is too skinny. She is a nurse cow, allows multiple calves to nurse off of her, she pretty much eats as much as she wants. I’ve had animal control called out though very annoying. They said she is normal looking for a cow that is getting constantly milked. Then nicely said don’t be tempted to overfeed on alfalfa because your neighbors are mad, hay is fine with some alfalfa supplement. Better thin than over weight…. More importantly Georgia is adorable in picture #11 🙂
Sarah Bennett
I love this idea! I just wondered though, I only see 8 buckets, is everything separate or to you put some things together, like vitamins and minerals that need other minerals and vitamins to be absorbed properly?
Shaye Elliott
I keep them all separate.
Tina Fosnot
I didn’t really see a response to the comment about there only being 8 buckets shown. If you keep them separate, where are the other 8? And seeing that this post is 4 years old, how is she doing with the minerals now?
Mandy
Hi….. ex-dairy farmer gal here…. love made me trade in my girls for combines 🙂 In my experience (and I think if you asked your vet he/she would say the same). 90% of reproductive issues in dairy cattle is related to nutrition. You mentioned poor pasture (understandable this time of year) and okay quality of hay, with no mention of grain. While it is very good to give your cow micro nutrients .. she also needs protein and energy. Imput must equal output or something is going to suffer. A cow, like sheep and wild animals will suffer reproductively before they suffer in producing milk. If my memory serves me right you had a cow before this one that would not settle ( get pregnant ) as well which is another tell-tale sign something is majorly wrong nutritionally. I would have my hay tested (or maybe the farmer you buy it from had a sample done) to let you know % of crude protein and TDN value. I would buy a high quality complete grain mix for her as well… one that would include rolled or steam flaked grain and a protein pellet. Make sure not to feed her whole grain… if the grain is coming out the back end looks the same as the grain she ate … she is getting nothing of it and you are literally pooping money away. Have your vet come out and give her check up to check for ovarian cysts and uterine tone. They should also give a rough idea of where she is in her cycle. While he/she has their arm up your dear cow’s backside quiz them on what they may think is the problem and nutritionally what they think your cow maybe lacking. Also ask about the selenuim problems that they may have witnessed in your area. Some areas are low which negatively impacts the cow.. but too much also can. You are paying the vet by minute so make the most of it 🙂
Hope to hear the happy news in near future. oh and congrats on the birth of your new little man !!!!
Jenna
This is a great resource for me! I’m getting my first cow in a few weeks and have been looking into minerals and such for her. I sure hope Sally gets prego for you! 🙂
Janet Hurley
Great info. Timely for me too. Bought a farm a month ago. We hope to milk our jersey-angus mix soon. Saw a video about milking on y*utube, where the family had minerals out, they called it the pharmacy =)
Ever thought about a milking machine? I have carpal tunnel syndrome, so one will be essential.
Ashley
Where do you buy all your individual minerals? I have been looking for them unmixed to be able to offer them free choice to our cows, but cannot find them. Thanks!
Shaye Elliott
We order our minerals from Advanced Biological Concepts. The link is in the post!
Emily
I would love to know if your still using this and what the results were?! Did she eat a ton of one thing and not touch others?
Melissa Casler
I was wondering the same thing…I had wanted to buy some, but their web page is difficult to maneuver….Im going to call them…just wondered if you still used them and were happy! thanks.
Andrew McDonald
Hi. Great article, thanks for the info. Like others, I wonder what the results were, and if after several years you stilll feel the same way or different? What if anything would you do different? Have just bought our first family milk cow, a sweet pregnant 2 year old Jersey cow, and scrambling to get ready to take possesion in 2 weeks. Shes due in 6 weeks.
Looking forward to your response.
Andrew
Suzanne
Yes. I too am curious how this mineral buffet is working for you after a couple of years.
homesteader
helpful article, my father is growing milk cow, I do not know if they work 🙂
Heather Mundt
How did you find the results of using this mineral system? Did your cow’s breeding improve?
Pamela
Yes can you please update on your findings after it has been this long I’m sure you have found some good methods.!
I would love to read about how it has done for you all these years and what she went for most.!
Laura Jill
Well I’m curious….it’s 2022. How did the minerals thing work out? I’m about to get my first two milking cows in a week and wondering if I should take the mineral plunge and set up something similar?
Kristin
We just switched to the ABC minerals. Bags look the same so I’m guessing that’s what you’re using. So far the cows eat a lot of the iodine and sulfur. Our water has excess sulfur in it so that one surprised me! We made a wood mineral feeder on snow skis so it can be pulled around as they rotationally graze. It’s a lot heavier than I had anticipated though…. I’m guessing your buckets are destroyed by now… what did you end up doing?