Any owner who has cows on his farm wants to see his animals healthy, highly productive and well-fed. The use of feed additives for cattle allows you to increase milk yield, quickly raise young animals, and achieve significant weight gain. It is worth discussing in detail what additives are best to use and how to use them correctly so as not to harm the livestock.
Features and purpose of feed additives
Feed additives are special highly nutritious mixtures, the addition of which to the main feed increases the productivity of animals. Using 5 to 30% of additives with feed daily allows you to saturate the food for cows with microelements, make it balanced in composition, and increase the efficiency of feeding. In addition, their use increases milk yield, reduces the cost of milk, and improves the quality of the product.
Feed additives are produced for various categories of cattle: dairy cows, young animals, bulls. They help reduce seasonal losses, provide feed with necessary vitamins and protein, and accelerate the growth and development of livestock. According to their intended purpose, they are divided into preventive, therapeutic-prophylactic or therapeutic types.
Composition and varieties
They increase the shelf life of feed, protect animals from diseases, improve cows’ appetite and food digestibility. There are:
- BVMK are protein-vitamin mineral concentrates. They are a homogeneous mixture of finely ground components with a high protein content. They contain protein, fiber, vitamins A, D, E, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and other components that increase the quality and nutritional value of feed. Help animals digest food better. Increase the fat content of milk by 0.2-0.3%. They are used economically; 600 grams of concentrate is enough for one cow per day.
- ABMC is a vitamin and mineral concentrate additionally containing urea. The composition contains components that improve digestion, vitamins, and microelements.
- Premixes are mixtures divided into simple and complex: simple ones contain a complex of vitamins and minerals, while complex ones also contain pro- and prebiotics, a complex of amino acids, and aromatic and flavoring fillers. There are premixes for dairy and dry cows, calves, and fattening bulls.They are added to the food in the morning and act throughout the day; they cannot be used as a separate food or mixed with hot food.
Important: it is dangerous to exceed the dosage of feed additives specified by the manufacturer.
There are different complexes for calves, depending on the age of the animal. Another gradation of food additives for cattle has been adopted, depending on the tasks performed:
- the use of technological concentrates allows you to maintain the quality of the feed, protects it from mold, prevents rotting and the spread of bacteria, and prevents the spread of pests (insect larvae, rodents);
- sensory fillers - affect the appearance and taste of the product, making the food more appetizing to animals;
- food fillers - improve digestion, ensure the health and activity of animals;
- zootechnical mixes - complexes of antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, proteins and enzymes should be agreed upon with a veterinarian, since they are medicinal fillers;
- combined mixtures - allow you to provide animals with balanced nutrition.
The most popular among farmers are food fillers containing vitamins, proteins, and regulators of water-salt metabolism.
Pros and cons of use
The disadvantages of use do not appear if you use vitamin-mineral mixes according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The market offers a wide range premixes and BVMK for cows, you need to purchase them from trusted manufacturers.
Selection rules
It is necessary to select additives taking into account the age of the livestock and its composition. Formulas for pregnant and lactating cows are different, and calves require nutrients based on their age and gender.
Popular manufacturers
The composition of premixes and BVMK must be carefully verified, and strict control is required in production. The product is supplied with a declaration of conformity, voluntary certification is possible.
"Southern Crown"
Production is located in the Krasnodar region.
A large plant producing compound feed and feed additives for cattle, various animals and birds.
"Burenka"
Produced in the Moscow region.
“Burenka” is often used in private plots and on farms.
"Vitasol"
The plant operates in the Kaluga region. Produces a wide range of products for cattle.
Consumers note the effectiveness of these premixes.
"Felucene"
Large production in the Moscow region. Felucene is one of the most popular feed additives.
Farmers note improved digestion, faster recovery after calving, and easier passage of the placenta.
"Trau-S"
Production is located in Voronezh. Various premixes for cows are available.
The list includes the most popular manufacturers that have been producing products for more than one decade. Their mixtures are high quality, effective and safe for animals. The use of feed additives in accordance with the instructions ensures an improvement in the condition of the livestock.
Instructions for use
Complexes of vitamins and minerals are given to animals with their morning feeding. Add to steamed and cooled corn or grain.
You cannot give ready-made feed and feed additives at the same time, since the feed contains mineral complexes and vitamins.
They should not be given to animals in their pure form and should not exceed the amount recommended by the manufacturer.The daily intake of supplements per animal is indicated on the packaging. It depends on the gender, age and condition of the animal.
The use of feed additives reduces farmers' costs for feed and increases production output. Eating a balanced diet for animals allows them to stay healthy and strong.
