Dairy Feed and Grasses
ASAP Plant Minerals™ are bio-available for uptake in plants to provide critical essential minerals in a bio manufactured form for sustained, healthy milk production from nutrient dense feed. Plants fed ASAP Plant Minerals™ contain the following elements for Bovine lactation.
ASAP Macro Elements:
Calcium is a component of milk. A deficiency of calcium may result in an increased incidence of milk fever, decreased feed intake which results in a drop in milk production.
Magnesium is essential for the formation and maintenance of strong bones. This element is a major intracellular cation that also functions in the enzyme systems of the body which affect muscle tone, dietary energy utilization and in the manufacture of milk.
Sodium is the primary extra-cellular cation, The heart function and nerve impulse conduction and transmission are dependent on the proper balance of sodium and potassium.
Potassium is the third most abundant mineral in the cow’s body. This element is involved in several enzyme systems, deficiencies produce reduced body weight and milk yield.
ASAP Micro Elements:
(The most common cattle trace element deficiencies - copper, selenium, and cobalt).
Copper is essential for the activity of certain enzymes and, along with iron, is necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin, a component of various body pigments, involved in the central nervous system, bone metabolism and heart function. Symptoms of a copper deficiency include retarded milk yield.
Selenium is a structural component of an essential enzyme system- glutathione peroxidase, and functions in association with vitamin E, certain fats and sulfur amino acids. Selenium has also been recognized as an immune-stimulant in ruminants and reduced udder edema.
Cobalt is essential for ruminants as it is incorporated into vitamin B12 by rumen microbes and, therefore, affects the formation of blood, the presence of sufficient cobalt may lead to synthesis of adequate amounts of vitamin B12. Symptoms of cobalt and vitamin B12 deficiencies include reduced conception rates and reduced milk production.
Iron is involved in cellular respiration, oxygen transport and as components of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and enzyme systems. About 60 to 70 percent of the iron in the body is found in the hemoglobin.
Manganese appears to play a vital role in reproduction through cholesterol synthesis, which is required for the synthesis of the steroid hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Chromium is an essential trace mineral required for normal sugar and fat metabolism. Chromium works with insulin in the metabolism of sugar and stabilizes blood sugar levels, which is important during early lactation. A chromium deficiency in lactating cows may result in increased incidence of ketosis and decreased milk production.
Zinc is an essential component of over 200 enzyme systems. The relation between zinc and clean milk production is well known, as it reduces the SCC. There are no significant stores of body zinc, so the animal must rely on a daily supply to meet requirements.
Chlorine is essential for transport of carbon dioxide and oxygen. It is the chief anion in gastric secretions (HCl), kills pathogens, required for protein digestion and for activation of pancreatic amylase.
Types of roughage
The most common roughage is grass of a number of species. Alfalfa, clover and herbaceous legumes. Legumes have an advantage over grass as they are nitrogen fixing. This means that the plants will (with the help of bacteria) fix air-nitrogen and thus they are less dependent on the nitrogen content of the soil. These plants contain more protein than grass under the same circumstances. Lucerne (or Alfalfa) has several advantages. It contains an elevated amount of calcium, vitamin E and carotene which are of major importance for milk production.
Harvesting roughage
In the beginning of the growth season, the protein and sugar (energy) content of the grass is high and the lignin content low. Thus, the grass is of high quality. With maturity the protein and sugar content decreases and the cell walls become lignified. The growth pattern is the same for legumes although it is a little slower. It is therefore important to harvest the roughage in the optimal period and to conserve it for use under dry seasons.
