Checking Beta-Carotene Status in Dairy Cows
A balanced diet is key for ensuring animal health. Beta-Carotene is key in ensuring cow longevity and good fertility rates.
Last updated on March 24th, 2023
Why does it matter?
Beta-Carotene deficiency in dairy cows can result in reduced fertility and productivity rates. Beta-Carotene is an essential nutrient only found in plants, which can’t be synthetised by livestock and therefore needs to be integrated into the cow’s diet to ensure good health, fertility and long-term productivity.
How did we solve this?
First, we checked the cows’ Beta-Carotene levels using a blood test. This information was then used to determine if Beta-Carotene supplementation was needed and if so, how much was needed to reach ideal Beta-Carotene levels.
The two F4G farms tested in this project had Beta-Carotene blood levels of 2.89 (47 cows tested) and 3.11 μg/mL (48 cows tested). Therefore, both farms were above the critical level of Beta-Carotene required (1.5 μg/mL) and therefore no supplementation was needed. This was thanks to the presence of high-quality green forage feed, such as alfalfa, in the herds’ diet.
Opportunities for other farms?
On farms where the herd does not present insufficient Beta-Carotene levels, supplementation may not be necessary.
For farms facing fertility or productivity issues, supplementation of Beta-Carotene may be relevant if the herd presents Beta-Carotene deficiency. This solution should be combined with other actions to ensure overall cow health and welfare.
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