Introduction
The science of mineral nutrition is a specialist field of nutrition. Minerals and vitamins support all of the vital body functions and must be viewed as an essential part of nutrition.
Dyers wheel (Below shows that many of the minerals are interrelated and co-reliant.
Trace minerals are fairly simple molecules and they tend to be prone to binding with other feed nutrients like phytate or more simple minerals This can render them useless for the animal they are not available for absorption into the tissues and they are expelled from the body as a result.
The wheel shows us the interactions between the mineral elements but these are not always positive. For example excess calcium will bind zinc and manganese and excess phosphorous will bind zinc.
Much of the NRC trace mineral requirement values are based on research from the 1960’s and 1970’s. This is currently all under review and we are waiting for the results of the extensive work to be published.
In the meantime much of the research is being implemented ahead of the publication so our nutrition models are up to date.
WE know, for example that many of the straight inorganic mineral ores from which metals like zinc copper manganese and cobalt are derived are not very available to the animal and there is a good case for these elements to be supplied by more effective chelated mineral sources.
The only really difficult hurdle with implementing the use of chelates is the relatively high carbon footprint of the production methods.
“Organic” famers are not currently supposed to use synthetic vitamins of protected (chelated) mineral sources and are therefore left with the relatively inefficient mineral ores as the formulation choice.
Please follow the link below to our guide to mineral functions.
Total Organics Natural Mineral Range
Total Organics has a range of cost-effective mineral supplements designed to suit a wide range of farm systems. In our experience most farms have a different approach to their livestock farming enterprises. In many cases there is a need for a good, cost effective supplement to supply a basic level of mineral nutrition to ensure against the fundamental challenges presented by mineral deficiencies. The Total Organics portfolio has been designed to effectively cover this basic requirement.
Many farms require a customised mineral supplement. This is usually due to farm-specific forage analyses. Total Organics will correlate and balance according to the production targets set on each farm. The resulting bespoke mineral supplement will be uniquely suited to the client’s system.
The table below shows a list of vitamins which are not included in the mineral specification, however if a vet decides that there should be an inclusion of any of these vitamins or indeed protected trace minerals, we can accommodate this, provided we receive the relevant derogation from the vet. The minerals shown are generally fairly basic but that is the limit of the scope we allowed within the current regulations.
he table below shows a list of vitamins which are not included in the mineral specification, however if a vet decides that there should be an inclusion of any of these vitamins or indeed protected trace minerals, we can accommodate this, provided we receive the relevant derogation from the vet. The minerals shown are generally fairly basic but that is the limit of the scope we allowed within the current regulations.
| Ca | P | Mg | Salt | Vit A | Vit D3 | Vit E | Vit B12 | Niacin | Co | Mn | Cu | Zn | I | Se | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | % | % | 000’s iu/Kg | 000’s iu/Kg | 000’s iu/Kg | 000’s iu/Kg | 000’s iu/Kg | Mg/Kg | Mg/Kg | Mg/Kg | Mg/Kg | Mg/Kg | Mg/Kg | |
| Natural Dairy * | 18.1 | 5 | 10 | 20 | – | – | – | – | – | 40 | 6000 | 1500 | 5000 | 400 | 25 |
| TBA Natural Economy | bal. | 5 | 5 | 25 | – | – | – | – | – | 40 | 4000 | 1500 | 4000 | 400 | 35 |
| TBA Natural Dry Cow * | Trace | 7 | 15 | Bal. | – | – | – | – | – | 90 | 6000 | 1500 | 8000 | 450 | 25 |
| Natural Young Stock | 20 | 5 | 5 | 20 | – | – | – | – | – | 60 | 4000 | 1500 | 4000 | 300 | 25 |
| Natural Grower Finisher | 27.5 | 1.5 | Trace | 25 | – | – | – | – | – | 40 | 3000 | 1000 | 3500 | 150 | 25 |
Natural Dairy (IF) *
Originally introduced in 1999 as Mainline Dairy mineral this supplement is a good all round straightforward dairy mineral.
The mineral is carefully formulated to provide a good basic cover of major and trace elements for milking cows. The mineral does not contain any protected sources of trace elements.
Feeding Rates:
| Dairy Cows | 150-200g (5-7oz)/day |
| Beef Cows | 100-150g (3-5oz)/day |
TBA Natural Economy (IF)
A straightforward traditional dairy mineral with no frills.
Feeding Rates:
| Dairy Cows | 150-200g (5-7oz)/day |
| Beef Cows | 100-150g (3-5oz)/day |
TBA Natural Dry Cow * (IF)
Originally introduced in 1997 as a good but more commercial version of the conventional ultra-high quality F1 Dry Cow Build up mineral. TBA Natural Dry Cow has been formulated carefully to ensure that the critical balance of Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus is optimised to reduce the incidence of milk fever.
Note: Hi DCAD diets should be balanced with extra magnesium or calcium chloride in order to offset the challenge posed by high levels of potassium in the forages.
Feeding Rates:
| Dairy Cows | 150-200g (5-7oz)/day |
| Beef Cows | 100-150g (3-5oz)/day |
Natural Young Stock (FA)
Introduced in 1999, this mineral supplement is a good all-round formulation for growing heifers. Whilst it has been designed to a lower cost, we have taken care to supply a high Phosphorous level to allow optimum frame development to aid growth targets.
Feeding Rates:
| Dairy Heifers | 75-150g (3-5oz)/day |
| Beef heifers | 75-150g (3-5oz)/day |
Natural Grower Finisher (FA)
This mineral supplement recognises the need for a specific formulation for animals which are destined for meat production only. It is a low-magnesium formulation because bull calves and steers are susceptible to problems with urinary calculli (kidney stones). We also recommend free access to rock salt because encouraging these animals to drink helps to flush their system.
Feeding Rates:
| Dairy Heifers | 75-150g (3-5oz)/day |
| Beef heifers | 75-150g (3-5oz)/day |
FA = Free access minerals contain waterproofing, spice & molasses.
IF = In Feed mineral
Bespoke Mineral Formulation and Supply
At Total Organics we can formulate any mineral to suit your needs, so if none of these are what you are looking for, just pick up the phone and give us a call!
We are proud of the work we have done to bring these supplements to the marketplace in the UK and we are confident that any users of these products will not be disappointed.