SOUTH East farm manager Craig Brewin has announced the latest round of results from the Multimin Performance Ready Challenge, a 12-month program run by animal health company Virbac Australia.
Operating from Maranoa Downs, 20km west of Naracoorte, Mr Brewin runs predominately Angus cows, which are joined to Wagyu bulls to produce feedlot-entry cattle.
Mr Brewin was part of the challenge that saw seven Australian farmers test the impacts of Multimin trace mineral injections over a 12-month period, complemented by a tailored nutrition program developed by industry mentors.
With each challenger sharing their program results and experiences, Mr Brewin paid particular attention to increases in fertility, conception and weight gain, supported by expert advice from mentor Dr Colin Trengove, who is a vet, University of Adelaide lecturer and Pro Ag Consulting managing director.
Mr Brewin said he decided to participate in the trial following years of multiple trace element tests on cattle of various age groups which uncovered ongoing issues with cobalt, selenium, copper and manganese deficiencies in many of his animals.
“We treated 50pc of our calves with Multimin at marking and weaning and plan to treat the same calves again three months post weaning,” Mr Brewin said.
“The other 50pc were left untreated and used as a control mob.
“When comparing the weights of the treated and untreated steers in August 2018 and again in January 2019, we found a modest weight gain advantage in the treated steers.
“Although weight gain increases are not always attributed to trace minerals, it is possible that Multimin helped improved the immune function of the steers and hence provided them with a better opportunity to grow.
“Unquestionably, the general appearance of the treated calves also improved and it’s clear from this impact on immunity gave our steers an additional means to grow and gain weight.”
Dr Trengove said adequate nutrition, including trace minerals, was integral to the development of muscle, cartilage and bone during the growth phase in calves.
“There are numerous studies that confirm the critical role that trace minerals play in immunity for growing calves,” Dr Trengove said.
“Collectively, they show the immune system can be enhanced through the use of trace mineral supplements such as Multimin, leading to better disease protection and additional weight gain.”
Outside of the challenge, Mr Brewin ran a second test focused on the effects of Multimin on fertility.
“In this trial, heifers with their first calf at foot were treated with Multimin and Webster’s 5 in 1 B12 in early May (pre-calving) and then treated with Multimin again in August at calf marking (pre-joining),” he said.
“Our bulls were also treated with Multimin before joining. The heifers were joined over an eight-week period and it was recorded that out of the 127 head joined, 122 fell pregnant.
“This meant a 96pc conception rate, which is phenomenal.
“Generally, it’s quite challenging to get our heifers rearing their first calf back into calf, so I’m very happy with these results.”
