An eye on mineral status during grazing will help avoid longer-term deficiency problems.

Producers should keep a close eye on their herds not only at turn out - but throughout the grazing season, in a bid to prevent mineral deficiency and it's associated health and fertility problems.

"The importance of providing the herd with certain minerals to prevent problems, such as grass staggers, at turnout is well documented," says Trouw Nutrition Ruminant Category Manager Dr. Helen Stebbens.

"But providing the herd with the correct balance of minerals at this time and throughout the rest of the grazing season is also vital if body condition, good fertility and health are to be maintained. Some herds are slipping into mineral deficiency status at grazing and this has implications for herd productivity and - more importantly - profitability," she adds.

Dr Stebbens explained that it was vital that producers should begin by assessing the mineral status of their herd's grass diet, using a tool such as Min-Link. This programme has been developed by Trouw Nutrition to determine the optimum level of mineral supplementation for dairy cows and to make specific recommendations.

"Ideally, samples of grass from individual farms should be analysed for all major minerals and trace elements to give the most accurate picture, but Trouw Nutrition have a large database of analyses from the major dairying areas of Great Britain that can be used in the Min-Link assessment. In order to complete a Min-Link check, the farmer supplies basic information about the cows in the herd - weight, average yield, days into lactation - and the quantity of any feeds being offered. A report is generated which then details the current mineral status of the cows, together with the mineral recommended to correct any dietary imbalances, that can be supplied by post, fax or email."

"Minerals have traditionally been supplied to accommodate deficiencies in the basal diet. The benefit of the Min-Link system is that it enables the supply of available minerals from both the basal diet or through mineral supplements to be calculated."

Dr. Stebbens adds that this helps to gauge the correct supply, as the availability of minerals in a TMR, for example, would be quite different to those found in fresh grass. "Careful calculation also overcomes the problem of over-supply and wastage, which may damage the environment and certainly costs money."

Once determined, the optimum supply can then be provided using mineral supplements, such as those in Trouw's Maxcare range, to balance the diet. "The choice of mineral would depend on a variety of factors such as local conditions, feeds used, cost and environmental considerations," said Dr Stebbens. Min-Llink may suggest that 200g per day of a standard mineral is required to balance the diet, but that 120g of a mineral with a higher bio availability would suffice."

The Trouw Maxcare mineral range has been developed to provide the optimal nutritional support throughout the year. Products are continually performance-tested on farms throughout the UK. This feedback enables Trouw to provide the best match for the prevailing conditions.

The company will have completed over 1000 Min-Link Checks this season and estimate to more than double last years number as they build up to Min-Link Month in September 2005 when help with formulating and balancing winter rations will be available to all producers.

Producers interested in a Min-Link check should contact Trouw Nutrition Customer Services on 0845 300 5858.