Trace Minerals Supplementation with Great Impact on Beef Cattle Immunity and Health

Abstract

Trace minerals (TM) play an important role in cattle immunity, health and performance. Although TM are needed in small quantities, they are fundamental for enzymes involved in antioxidant protection against cellular damage and several pathways of the immune response. Cattle TM status results from the balance between TM dietary intake and their requirements. Free-choice oral TM supplementation is a common practice in beef cattle production systems. However, there is a high variation in TM intake and thus TM status and bioavailability in animals receiving free-choice oral TM supplements. Strategic pulse-dose supplementation during critical points of beef cattle management provides a controlled amount of TM intended to remove such a variation. Adequate TM supplementation should not only satisfy the basal requirements but also provide a source of TM when there is a higher demand of the antioxidant systems or during the development of the immune response. This paper reviews the research-based evidence of the effects of TM supplementation on immunity and its impact on beef cattle health. This review highlights the benefits of a novel approach of strategic administration of injectable trace minerals (Se, Zn, Cu and Mn) during critical episodes of cattle management (e.g., around weaning or at vaccination) in combination with free-choice oral supplementation to maintain adequate TM and oxidative status, enhanced immunity and overall cattle health. This strategy has proven to decrease morbidity, which would positively impact the productivity of the beef cattle systems.

A Trace Mineral Injection before Joining and Lambing Increases Marking Percentages and Lamb Weights on Diverse Farms in Victoria, Australia

“…The outcomes of this study suggest that similar to what has been demonstrated in cattle [20,24] the use of a commercial ITM product containing a combination of TM allows sheep producers to supplement specific amounts of TM to individual animals improving fertility, health, performance and farm profitability.…”

“…While some only include one trace element, such as Se (barium selenate, sodium selenate), or Cu (copper glycinate); others provide a water-soluble combination of rapidly absorbed trace minerals containing EDTA-bound Cu, Zn and Mn, and sodium selenite. This injectable trace mineral formulation (ITM) allows livestock producers to deliver specific amounts of a combination of TM to individual animals targeting high-demand periods without antagonist interactions within the gastrointestinal tract [20][21][22][23][24].…”

Nutrición animal: Texto de formación universitaria

“…El estado nutricional de los minerales del ganado resulta del equilibrio entre la ingesta dietética de minerales y sus requerimientos. La suplementación oral de minerales de libre elección es una práctica común en los sistemas de producción de ganado de carne (Palomares, 2022). Entre un mineral inorgánico y un mineral orgánico, se prefiere el mineral orgánico.…”