Prepare® nuts We are pleased to announce the launch of a new dry cow program, at the heart of which is a new pre-calving concentrate called Prepare® nuts, designed to be fed from 3-4 weeks pre-calving. Some farmers using a traditional system for their dry cows, consisting of low calcium diets, still tend to have problems with milk fever, retained cleansings and other disorders associated with calving as well as difficulties getting cows off to a flying start. With a feeding rate of 2-3kg, depending on the forages being fed, Prepare® nuts address these problems.

The Prepare® program approaches dry cow nutrition from 5 main angles:

• The 21% protein nuts have a high proportion of by-pass protein in the form of Sopralin and Hipro Soya Meal. This supplies adequate quality protein so that cows can use their body fat as an energy source without bunging up the liver with fat.

• Anionic salts are utilised to decrease the cation-anion balance (CAB) of the diet. The CAB value indicates the alkalinity or acidity of the diet. An alkaline diet will suppress the calcium mechanism which enables calcium resorption from bone. In a traditional system, calcium is limited in order to trigger this mechanism. However, by lowering the CAB of the diet and making it more acidic, the ration will stimulate the resorption of calcium and plenty of calcium can be fed allowing for proper muscle function, especially in the two largest muscles in the body, the rumen and uterus.

• Lactose is included for optimum rumen villi growth. This will help to provide the greatest surface area possible for the absorption of nutrients so that the cow can get the most out of the diet provided.

• A large inclusion of propylene glycol provides a direct energy source to the animal and thereby helps to cleanse fatty livers. It also encourages an insulin response which is critical to fertility. The action is through the boosting of Insulin-like Growth Factor, a hormone which stimulates follicle development, so important for the basis of the next timely pregnancy.

• Finally, the nuts are we ll balanced for vitamins and minerals containing organic sources to optimize availability. It is evident that most mineral deficiencies develop in the mid to late lactation period when concentrate feeding is low and mineral feeding is often inadequate. The addition of organic sources helps to boost the cow status before the stress of calving and lactation. Vitamin supplementation is also important and extremely high levels are included, especially Vitamin E - a critical vitamin and all research shows that a daily supplementary requirement of at least 1000mg is needed.

Prepare nuts are available ihn 25kg bags or bulk.

For more information please telephone (01691) 828512 or complete the enquiries form.

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