Dairy replacement heifers are an extremely valuable component of a dairy operation. Not only are they the future of the lactating herd, but they determine your long-term profitability. That’s why providing them with adequate and consistent vitamin and trace mineral nutrition is important to help support optimal growth, health, immunity, reproduction and hoof integrity.
Melissa Holtz, technical calf nutrition and business manager for Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Solutions & Purina Animal Nutrition, shares when to start implementing vitamin and mineral nutrition into your heifer diets and why it is so important for your herd's overall growth, health and reproduction.
Q: Vitamins and minerals play a crucial role in the overall growth and reproductive development of dairy heifers. When should a producer start incorporating a mineral supplement into their replacement heifer diets and why?
Q: How does a mineral supplement in the postweaning phase set the calf up for success later in life?
Q: We understand digital dermatitis in dairy heifers has been an ongoing issue for producers. How can producers utilize a DD mineral formula to help mitigate digital dermatitis issues in their heifers?
Q: Why is it important to provide a mineral supplement before, during and after breeding?
Q: How do heifer minerals promote a healthy pregnancy and newborn calf?
Q: Where can producers go to learn more about Purina’s heifer mineral product options?
To learn more about incorporating a mineral supplement into your heifer diets, talk with your Purina representative or visit purinamills.com.
Season 5, Episode 29
Melissa Holtz, MA
Technical Calf Nutrition & Business Manager
Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Solutions
This episode is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition.
Purina Animal Nutrition LLC is a national organization serving producers, animal owners and their families through more than 4,700 local cooperatives, independent dealers and other large retailers throughout the United States. Driven to unlock the greatest potential in every animal, the company is an industry-leading innovator offering a valued portfolio of complete feeds, supplements, premixes, ingredients and specialty technologies for the livestock and lifestyle animal markets.
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