Bulletins from Thomson & Joseph Ltd

Here's a look at the key headlines from our Grass Silage Mineral Bulletin 2019 - 

·  MACRO-MINERALS UNCHANGED OVER PAST 3 SEASONS EXCEPT FOR ELECTROLYTES

· ELECTROLYTE ELEMENTS (POTASSIUM, SODIUM, CHLORIDE) HIGHER DUE TO WARMER SPRING

· CATION-ANION BALANCE RISES TO +423 meq/kg

· SOIL CONTAMINATION SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER, REFLECTING GOOD CONDITIONS AT GRASS HARVESTING

· MOLYBDENUM FALLS DRAMATICALLY (20%) AS MAY DRIER THAN AVERAGE

· HYPOCALCAEMIA RISK INCREASED, BUT ANTAGONISTIC CHALLENGE TO COW FERTILITY AND HEALTH REDUCED

View the full Bulletin here.
 
 

Looking forward to catching up with everyone at AgriScot on Wednesday 21th of November Stand 16 in the Highland Hall.

In the mean time please find our Grass Silage Mineral Profile Bulletin attached here!


Key Headlines from the Bulletin:

• Macro minerals similar to 2017 except electrolyte elements.

• Potassium (2.73%), Sodium (0.25%), Chloride (0.98%) reduced due to soil water deficit.

• Cation-anion balance steady at +381 meq/kg.

• Soil contamination marginally reduced but iron higher at 427mg/kg.

• Molybdenum continues to climb at 1.91mg/kg due to wet spring.

• Relative Copper antagonism remains high.


To continue reading please find the full bulletin attached here!

Great to catch up with everyone at the UK Dairy Day! You can next catch us at AgriScot on Wednesday 15th of November.

In the mean time please find our Grass Silage Mineral Profile Bulletin attached here!


Key Headlines from the Bulletin:

· Phosphorus steady at 0.36% - up 38% since 2010.


· Potassium reports slight increase to 2.80% but remains lower than peak in 2013/14.


· Cation-anion balance follows Potassium trend and is similar to 2016 high value at +391 meq/kg.


· Soil contamination similar to 2016, as reflected in Iron level of 401mg/kg, but down from 2014 peak.


· Molybdenum up again to 1.71mg/kg - has increased by 33% since 2010.


· Relative Copper antagonism remains high.


 

 

Please find our Grass Silage Mineral Profile Bulletin for 2016 attached here!





Key Headlines from the Bulletin:

· Phosphorus continues to increase - up 30% since 2010

· Potassium declines from high in early part of this decade as fertiliser inputs are reduced.

· Cation-anion balance follows potassium trend.

· Sulphur up by 27% since 2010 due to focus on adding Sulphur to grassland fertiliser.

· Soil contamination similar to 2015, but down from 2014 peak.

· Molybdenum up again - has increased by 22% since 2010.

· Relative Copper antagonism remains significant.
 

Although temperatures remain cool spring has defiantly arrived with its attendant risk factors for cattle turned out to grass. Taking action to minimise the risk of staggers (hypomagnesaemia) remains a key strategy, with the provision of a palatable source of Magnesium being paramount. High forage Potassium is the most significant nutritional suppressor of Magnesium absorption.

The attached bulletin highlights the relationship between Potassium and Magnesium and those actions which are important to reducing the risk of staggers.

Download the full bulletin here.

This year’s grass growth has got off to a good start compared with 2013, due to the generally mild wet spring. Livestock farmers are reporting increased grass yields for 1st cut livestock. The higher growth rates of grass this season have translated through to an improved mineral profile.

Download and read the full bulletin here...

Increased use of alternative forages such as Maize and Whole Crop Silage at the expense of Grass Silage requires the effect on the mineral contribution from these forages to be established and appropriate changes in mineral supplement formulation to be introduced.

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Strong relationships exist in the natural world between the mineral nutrition of soils, plants and animals, including humans. Although we are primarily interested in mineral nutrition of farm animals, dietary mineral supply depends on the composition of forages and feedingstuffs. These are obviously influenced by the soil and rocks from which they come, so to better understand animal mineral nutrition it is necessary to look at the natural mineral cycle to ensure the dietary mineral supply offered is both optimal and well-balanced in content.

Download and read the full Bulletin here...

Of the 92 elements naturally present in the earth’s crust, there are 15 minerals which are recognised as being essential for animal life. These are divided into two groups dependent on the extent of their dietary requirement.

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What a difference a year makes! Last year’s early warm spring followed by almost continual summer rainfall resulted in reduced yields of lower quality silage which had an extremely adverse mineral profile for cow health and productivity. This year didn’t start much better as spring temperatures were well below average, with March recording a 3°C average lower temperature compared to the 1981-2010 mean.

Download and read the full bulletin here...

In 2010 Novus purchased Albion’s Animal Nutrition Division to add Albion’s Metal Amino Acid Chelates (MAAC) to their range of feed additives for ruminant livestock. Novus are the world’s largest manufacturer of methionine for pigs and poultry, and purchased Albion’s MAAC animal products as part of their plans to expand into the ruminant nutrition market.

Download and read the full bulletin here...

Protected minerals are today a common feature of the feed additive market. Although many different products are being promoted, they can broadly be placed in one of four categories:

> Metal Amino Acid Chelates (MAAC)
Novus (Albion)

> Metal Proteinates
Alltech, Optimins, Key Minerals

> Metal Amino Acid Complexes
Zinpro

> Metal Polysaccharide Complexes
Qualitech

Indeed, these are the categories used by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to differentiate between the many products in the market place. In the EU the situation is different in that each product has to receive separate approval for inclusion on a positive list for each trace element.

Download and read the full bulletin here...