Winter is altyd ’n toets vir kuddebestuur. Weiding verloor voedingswaarde, temperature daal, en diere se energiebehoeftes verander. Dit is ook die tyd wanneer minerale tekortkominge maklik insluip, en die gevolge daarvan kan lank ná die koue seisoen voortduur.
By Bonzo Bonsmaras glo ons dat optimale voeding nie moet ophou wanneer gras opdroog nie. Slim minerale bestuur in winter lê die grondslag vir vrugbaarheid, immuniteit en produksie in die somer.
Hoekom fokus ons op minerale in winter?
In die groeiseisoen kry beeste ’n groot deel van hul minerale uit groen weiding. Maar sodra veldkwaliteit verswak, daal die beskikbaarheid van kritieke minerale soos fosfor en magnesium. Wanneer die gras droog is, styg die risiko vir subkliniese tekortkominge, iets wat jy dalk nie onmiddellik sien nie, maar wat ’n groot impak op jou volgende produksie-siklus het.
Tekort aan minerale lei tot:
- Verlaagde vrugbaarheid (swakker konsepsie en langer tussen-kalf-intervalle).
- Kompromie in immuniteit (diere is vatbaarder vir siektes soos longontsteking en klousiektes).
- Swakker speengewigte in die volgende seisoen.
Die rol van fosfaatlekke: ’n ononderhandelbare basis
Fosfor is waarskynlik die belangrikste mineraal wat jy in die winter moet aanvul. Dit is ’n bousteen vir energiebenutting, beendigtheid en voortplanting.
Wanneer diere nie genoeg fosfor kry nie gebeur die volgende:
- Vrugbaarheid daal merkbaar, met ’n laer dragtigheidspersentasie.
- Koeie sukkel om kondisie terug te kry voor die dekseisoen.
- Kalwers se groei vertraag, wat direk op jou winsmarge inwerk.
Ons praktyk by Bonzo Bonsmaras:
- In koue maande bied ons hoëfosfaatlekke aan as basisaanvulling.
- Ons verkies kommersiële, bewese produkte wat nie net fosfor bied nie, maar ook ander noodsaaklike minerale soos kalsium, magnesium en spoorelemente insluit.
- Lekke word op strategiese punte geplaas en daagliks dopgehou om te verseker dat inname konstant bly, selfs wanneer diere sukkel om aan te pas by koue en wind.
Spoorelemente wat ’n groot verskil maak
Benewens fosfor speel ander minerale en spoorelemente ’n kritieke rol:
- Koper en sink: Belangrik vir immuniteit en velgesondheid. Tekort verhoog vatbaarheid vir infeksies.
- Seleen: ’n Sleutelelement vir reproduksie en kalwergesondheid.
- Magnesium: Help om metaboliese probleme en spierfunksie te reguleer, veral waar diere op droë veld en hoë konsentraatvoeding leef.
Indien jy nie seker is oor jou grond en weiding se mineraalstatus nie, oorweeg ’n voer- of bloedontleding. Dit klink dalk tegnies, maar dit is ’n belegging wat jou baie raad kan gee oor watter aanvullings regtig nodig is.
Hoe beïnvloed dit vrugbaarheid en immuniteit?
Vrugbaarheid: ’n Kooi wat in winter nie genoeg minerale kry nie, sal langer neem om op siklus te kom en kan selfs die volgende dekseisoen mis. Dit beteken minder kalwers, en ’n direkte invloed op winsgewendheid.
Immuniteit: ’n Diere se weerstand teen siektes is afhanklik van spoorelemente soos koper, sink en seleen. Tekorte in winter lei tot swakker respons op entings en ’n groter risiko vir siektes wat ekstra behandelingskoste beteken.
By Bonzo glo ons voorkoming kos minder as regstelling. ’n Doeltreffende winterlekprogram is ’n belegging.
Hoe maak jy seker jou lekprogram werk?
- Plaas genoeg lekke uit: Een lek per 30 beeste is ’n algemene riglyn. Te min punte veroorsaak kompetisie en oneweredige inname.
- Hou inname dop: As diere te veel of te min vreet, kan dit op ’n formuleprobleem of kwessie met die smaak van die lek dui.
- Wees konsekwent: Moenie wag totdat ’n lek leeg is voordat jy hervul nie; diere moet nooit ’n dag sonder aanvulling wees nie.
Ons ervaring wys dat die telers wat volhoubaar voorsien, ook die telers is wat die beste dragtigheidsyfers en speengewigte kry.
Die koue maande mag stadig lyk en voel, maar dit is die tyd waarin jy jou somersukses bou. ’n Goedbeplande mineraalprogram is die stille vennoot wat jou kudde gesond, vrugbaar en produktief hou. By Bonzo Bonsmaras werk ons streng volgens hierdie beginsels, omdat ons glo dat sterk genetika net sy volle potensiaal wys as voeding en minerale reg bestuur word.
Winter is always a test for herd management. Pasture loses nutritional value, temperatures drop, and animals' energy needs change. It's also the time when mineral deficiencies easily creep in, and their effects can last long after the cold season.
At Bonzo Bonsmaras, we believe that optimal nutrition shouldn't stop when grass dries up. Innovative mineral management in winter lays the foundation for fertility, immunity and production in summer.
Why do we focus on minerals in winter?
During the growing season, cattle get a large portion of their minerals from green pastures. But as soon as the quality of the soil deteriorates, the availability of critical minerals such as phosphorus and magnesium decreases. When the grass is dry, the risk of subclinical deficiencies increases, something you may not see immediately, but which has a significant impact on your next production cycle.
Mineral deficiencies lead to:
- Reduced fertility (poorer conception and longer inter-calving intervals).
- Compromise in immunity (animals are more susceptible to diseases such as pneumonia and foot and mouth disease).
- Weaning weights were lower in the following season.
The role of phosphate licks: a non-negotiable base
Phosphorus is probably the most essential mineral you need to supplement in winter. It is a building block for energy utilisation, bone density and reproduction.
When animals do not get enough phosphorus, the following happens:
- Fertility drops noticeably, with a lower pregnancy percentage.
- Cows struggle to regain condition before the breeding season.
- Calves' growth slows down, which directly affects your profit margin.
Our practice at Bonzo Bonsmaras:
- In cold months, we offer high-phosphate licks as a base supplement.
- We prefer commercial, proven products that not only provide phosphorus, but also include other essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium and trace elements.
- Licks are placed at strategic points and monitored daily to ensure that intake remains constant, even when animals are struggling to adapt to cold and wind.
Trace elements that make a big difference
In addition to phosphorus, other minerals and trace elements play a critical role:
- Copper and zinc: Important for immunity and skin health. Deficiency increases susceptibility to infections.
- Selenium: A key element for reproduction and calf health.
- Magnesium: Helps regulate metabolic problems and muscle function, especially where animals live on dry veld and high-concentration feed.
If you are unsure about the mineral status of your soil and pasture, consider a feed or blood analysis. It may sound technical, but it is an investment that provides valuable insights into which supplements are essential.
How does it affect fertility and immunity?
Fertility: A cow that does not get enough minerals in winter will take longer to cycle and may even miss the next breeding season. This means fewer calves and a direct impact on profitability.
Immunity: An animal's resistance to disease is dependent on trace elements such as copper, zinc and selenium. Deficiencies in winter lead to a weaker response to vaccinations and a greater risk of diseases, which can result in extra treatment costs.
At Bonzo, we believe that prevention costs less than cure. An effective winter lick program is an investment.
How do you ensure your lick program is functioning correctly?
- Place enough licks: One lick per 30 cattle is a general guideline. Too few points cause competition and uneven intake.
- Monitor intake: If animals are eating too much or too little, this may indicate a formula problem or an issue with the taste of the lick.
- Be consistent: Don't wait until a lick is empty before refilling; animals should never go a day without supplementation.
Our experience shows that the breeders who supply sustainably are also the breeders who achieve the best pregnancy rates and weaning weights.
The cold months may look and feel slow, but this is the time to build your summer success. A well-planned mineral program is the silent partner that keeps your herd healthy, fertile and productive. At Bonzo Bonsmaras, we work strictly according to these principles because we believe that strong genetics only show their full potential when nutrition and minerals are managed correctly.