Uncategorised - TERRA NutriTECH South Africa

The Role of Cobalt in the Formation of Vitamin B12 in the rumen of cows.

This is a really important mineral for the formation of vitamin B12 in the rumen of cows Plays an important role in B12 formation, which plays a key role in energy metabolism. Cobalt is really important for the rumen microbes to synthesise vitamin B12. Cobalt is also believed to play a role in certa...

What Role Does Copper Play in Cellular Function and Immunity?

Copper plays an important role in cellular function and immunity There is a narrow range when supplementing with copper meaning getting it to optimum levels are essential. Sampling can be difficult as blood can be difficult to interpret and liver samples are the premium method of doing this. Remembe...

How Iodine Plays a Key Role in Thyroid Function?

This mineral plays a key role in thyroid function. Iodine helps convert thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). This conversion is important for the thyroid to function properly. An iodine imbalance can lead&nbs...

Why is Phosphorous an Important Mineral to Balance with Calcium?

Phosphorous is a very important mineral to balance with calcium because it works with calcium to help build bones. To improve animal health, the animal needs the right amount of both of these minerals. The balance of these minerals in the animal diet plays a key role in animal health. Mineral im...

Magnesium is becoming increasingly important when examining Animal Welfare on the Farm

Magnesium plays a key role in muscle and nerve function in ruminants while Deficiencies are very rapid and can be fatal. It is stored in low levels in the cow’s body and requires regular daily intakes. Magnesium can play a key role in enzymes, muscle and nerve function. In ruminants, the main ...

How Zinc plays a Key Role in Maintaining a Healthy Herd?

Zinc plays an important role in enzymes, immune function and healthy skin for cattle. This trace element plays a key role in a lot of enzyme systems. It can also play a role in immune function and keratin production and hoof health. While most animals have a high tolerance for zinc in their diet. Pa...

Why is Calcium so Important for Animal Health during Calving Season?

Calcium is one of the most important minerals in ruminants. It plays a key role in muscle function and immunity, particularly around calving time. Probably one of the most important macro minerals, especially around calving time. The cow will have a big demand for calcium before calving and especial...

The Importance of Selenium for Animal Health and the role it plays in a healthy immune system for cattle.

Selenium plays a key role in immune function and is closely linked to vitamin E. Selenium is an essential microelement in animal nutrition and exerts multiple actions related to animal fertility, production and disease prevention. This mineral is required by the animal but it is not made in the anim...

The Importance of Minerals in a Dairy Cow

It’s been a good autumn that has helped bring some balance to a tough year on farms. As cows are housed and dried off, we now start focusing on the next lactation on many Irish dairy farms. It can be a quieter time especially when the whole herd is dried off. The dry period is ...

2 Major Causes of Lameness in Dairy Cows

A lame dairy cow is an animal that is both sore and certainly not firing on all cylinders. They estimate a case of lameness to cost farmers between €200-250 per case and with many herds having 10-15% of lame cows this is both a big welfare concern and a big cost to yo...