Farm study: Min-Mix Extra drench for lifting cows out of mineral deficient status
Results of a study conducted for Independent Veterinary Services Ltd by Dr Ian Livingstone, Veterinarian, Otorohanga Veterinary Services.
The following are results of comparative studies on two client's properties where Min-Mix Extra Mineral Drench was used as recommended and prescribed by Dr Ian Livingstone in the autumn and dry period of 1999.
Farm 1
Year 1999
21 April
23 June
21 April
23 June
21 April
Tag
S:Fx
S:Fx
S:B12
S:Se
B:GPx
1
7
21
400
71
14
17
380
780
5.3
87
15
19
470
99
14
17
500
810
6.6
157
16
19
190
236
10
21
400
760
5.6
238
22
28
490
239
17
290
8.7
275
26
23
300
4
12
Mean
15
19
390
783
6.6
Range
15 -35
15 - 35
>100
150 -1000
10 - 25
The ferroxidase levels averaged 15 on 21/4/99 on a routine test before supplementation was commenced and 19 after six weeks supplantation. Average increase 26.6%. Initially they were dosed at 10 ml per cow. This was repeated seven days later.
On 14/5/99 they were dosed at 14ml per cow and again on 3/6/99.
On 26/3/99 they were dosed at 20ml per cow.Selenium prills had been put on yearlyand the light cows were injected with selenium at the end of April. Note that on top of this the selenium levels and copper ferroxidase levels rose very well.The dosing level was lower than the recommended daily dose rate i.e. not 14ml per 7 days as I felt it best to give time for the livers to regenerate after a severe facial eczema season.
Farm 2
Year 1999
27 March
18 June
27 March
27 March
18 June
Tag
S:Fx
S:Fx
S:B12
S:Se
B:GPx
30
17
22
240
240
6.7
33
13
20
220
260
9.1
37
18
48
220
250
42
13
18
360
240
69
11
19
360
145
10
9
370
148
26
21
500
149
13
18
300
150
13
15
510
2.7
Mean
15
21
345
248
6.2
Reference
Range15-35
15-35
>100
150-1000
10-25
The ferroxidase levels averaged 15 on 27/3/99 before supplemenattion started and 21 after 10 weeks supplemenation. The average increase ws 40%. Note No 145 was a poorer cow that has been a poor doer all through, most likely from facial eczema damage.Cows were treated daily with 2ml per cow per day Min-Mix Extra mineral drench (50.4mg elemental copper per 2ml dose) from 1/4/99 to 25/5/99.In my opinion, our recommendations are at the right dose for the majority of farms in this area to lift cows out of a deficient status and maintain copper levels over the winter.Dr Ian Livingstone, BVSC, Otorohanga Veterinary Services.
June 1999
Copyright - freely available for reprint as long as attribution is made to Independent Veterinary Supplies Ltd. and Dr Ian Livingstone as source of material.
