2022/06/16 - Products
Cattle health: 30 years of expertise in micronutrition
Limiting the use of treatments, in particular antibiotics, by supporting the body's natural processes: this is one of the objectives of micronutrition or trace mineral supplementation. On the occasion of our 30 years of expertise in this field, let's take a look at what has become one of the pillars of our approach to cattle health.
As for humans, trace minerals are essential nutrients in the immune response mechanisms and for the development of the animal. Zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and phosphorus in particular are components of a wide variety of enzymes that support metabolism, reproduction, production and growth. However, in the life of cattle, there are many changes that generate stress, such as parturition, growth or a change of environment or nutrition. To adapt to these new situations, animals must draw on their nutrient reserves (fat, protein, minerals, water...). These mechanisms have an important energy cost which generates free radicals and leads to oxidative stress, when the production of pro-oxidants exceeds the capacity of the organism to neutralize them. This imbalance, if it becomes unreasonable, can affect the immune status of the animals, their reproductive capacity and their production. For the farmer, these consequences can be severe: loss of animals, lower production, diseases and treatment costs.
Strengthen their natural defenses during periods of high demand
Cows, calves or bulls... all cattle are sooner or later confronted with oxidative stress and the daily diet is not always sufficient to meet the metabolic needs of the animal in these critical periods. A supplementation program with highly bioavailable trace minerals can then be set up to meet the animal's increased nutritional needs at these key moments. To optimize their absorption, we develop injectable forms that ensure better availability for each animal and better management of complex mineral antagonisms in the animal's digestive tract. With injectable micronutrient supplementation, the ambition is to increase the level of prevention and to reduce the treatment of animals on the farm.
The objective is, quite simply, to make them more resistant to disease!
A preventive health solution for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs
Our injectable trace mineral supplementation solution for cattle was born more than thirty years ago in South Africa. This year, our teams are celebrating three decades of trusting relationships with farmers that have helped improve animal health and the performance of the country's livestock. Since 1992, we have worked to make injectable micronutrition available to more farms around the world: it is now available in Australia, New Zealand, Korea and, since 2019, in France, the United Kingdom and Ireland, in its formula for cattle, sheep and goats. Several formulas exist to better meet the specific needs of animals, which differ according to the geographical area, forage resources, farming methods and, of course, the animal species. A formula has been specially adapted to the needs of pigs and is already used by South American and South Korean breeders. Our teams also take care to adapt to the changing needs of the animal: so, since 2019 we offer in most countries a new injectable formula of trace elements that contains 50% more zinc.
Supporting the development of a more sustainable agriculture
At each stage of development, we carry out actions with veterinarians and breeders to make them aware of the importance of micronutrition as an essential pillar of prevention and animal welfare. This was the case, for example, during the European launch: we organized a series of worldwide online conferences with nearly 1,500 veterinarians, nutritionists and breeders to explore with them the role of trace minerals in the redox biology of farm animals. Through injectable mineral supplementation, our ambition is to accompany the shift from a curative and individual model of veterinary medicine to a preventive and herd-based approach. It is no longer just about treating sick animals, but about ensuring the long-term health of herds. Through injectable mineral supplementation, we hope to support the development of a more sustainable agriculture.