SUSTAINABILITY 56 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2024 “Responsible mineral nutrition is important at all life stages, from calf through the fifth lactation. Many producers are overfeeding key trace elements. Formulating diets with trace minerals that meet the animal’s nutritional requirements and are highly bioavailable inside the animal helps producers achieve more with less.” “Essential” and “efficient” go hand in hand when it comes to sustainable livestock production. Sustainability is not only woven into efficient production – it is also essential for the long-term success of a business. People, planet, and profit are interrelated in sustainable farming systems that support the viability of the business, the health of the planet and people’s livelihoods. Too often, businesses focus on one aspect of sustainability such as reducing their carbon footprint – instead of considering the varied environmental factors, practices, and systems that influence sustainable production. There is no single model for achieving the most sustainable system. But by incorporating small incremental changes, it is possible to improve the sustainability of livestock production and reduce the effects on the environment. A dairy farm’s sustainability and carbon footprint are closely linked to efficient production. Reviewing the entire production process is a good place to start enhancing efficiency, beginning with youngstock. Careful attention to nutrition and farm management starting early in life and continuing through every stage of production can help set cows – and herds up for long-term productivity. LONGEVITY STARTS WITH YOUNGSTOCK Getting cows to their fifth lactation and beyond begins with a holistic approach to nutrition and management, especially for youngstock. Getting conditions right at the youngstock stage can unlock whole farm efficiency, support profitability, and reduce the farm’s carbon footprint. Research has shown that effective colostrum management, providing high-quality calf milk replacer (CMR) and feeding CMR at elevated volumes can boost calf health, and growth rate. In turn, these benefits can help reduce the age of first calving and help animals remain in the herd longer. Research conducted by Trouw Nutrition has shown that animals fed at an elevated plane of nutrition from birth to weaning (with the same treatment thereafter) remained in the herd longer than those fed a restricted plane of nutrition. For example, 20% of animals fed at an elevated plane were in the herd at fifth lactation compared to 7% of animals not receiving optimal nutrition. A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY FROM CALF TO 5TH LACTATION Responsible mineral nutrition at all stages Liz Homer Sustainability Manager Ruminants Europe Trouw Nutrition
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