Copper supplement
may not be needed

Providing supplemental copper for 2-year-old cows before and after calving didn't improve cow reproduction or calf health and growth, University of Nebraska research showed.

This Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources research shows that supplementing this mineral is unnecessary unless a copper deficiency has been determined.

Animal Scientists Gene Deutscher and Dennis Brink headed the two-year study. They extensively tested 197 first-calf cows to determine whether organic or inorganic copper supplement affected cow reproduction, calf health or scours, passive transfer of immunity, and liver and blood copper levels.

They found that copper levels in livers of cows that didn't receive copper supplement became deficient by 30 days after calving, while copper levels substantially increased in cows receiving the supplement.

However, there was no difference in 60-day pregnancy rates between cows receiving organic, inorganic or no copper supplements. Also, no differences were found in incidence of calf scours or bloat between groups, and supplements didn't enhance colostrum's protective qualities.

"Results indicate if cow liver copper levels are about 50 parts per million dry weight at 60 days prior to calving and cows are in average body condition and fed adequate levels of protein and energy, they will not respond with improved calf health or cow reproduction when fed additional copper," Brink said.

This research essentially shows that copper supplements may not be needed unless a mineral imbalance has been identified, Deutscher said.

"Producers can provide necessary minerals for $8 to $12 per cow annually. The feeding of more expensive minerals may cost $20 to $30 per head," he added.

– T.L. Meyer