“Helps cattle make better use of what they eat”

This was said not by a slick marketing consultant but beef and sheep farmer Roy Magowan from Hilltown, Co Down.

In a DIY trial on two lots of continentalcross heifers, Roy gave Tracesure boluses to the group of smaller cattle and left the batch of bigger ones without. By the time bolused heifers were finished and sold, he says the originally better batch “were still miles behind, despite getting extra meal.”

Since then, Roy Magowan gives Tracesure boluses twice a year, at spring turnout and again at housing, and reports “a massive difference as a result.

“They work really well for me,” he says. “Animals not only gain more weight, their coats look better too. These boluses clearly allow cattle to make better use of what they eat.”

In explanation, vet Dr Elizabeth Berry points out that much of the country’s grazed or conserved grass is deficient in essential trace elements. “Without supplementation, functions affected by deficiencies include immunity, energy metabolism, digestive enzymes and breeding hormones,” she explains.

“Sub-optimal function in any one of these is likely to have adverse effects on animal productivity and financial performance. Trace element supplementation to help calves and yearlings make maximum use of forage is good business as well as affordable.

“Among available methods - drenching, in-feed minerals, free-access licks, etc - one offering 180days’ duration, single handling, and constant trickle-charge of trace elements is a Tracesure bolus.

“Giving this leaching bolus just twice a year is easy, with a short video demonstration and telephone advice available for first-timers.”

Leaching bolus technology was developed by and is exclusive to Animax. It is designed to release trace elements at a consistent rate, compatible with the animal’s daily requirements. The company’s specialists are available for information about the most suitable bolus to use for specific circumstances.

Further information at animax-vet.com/ products/uk/ or contact Matthew Gray, territory manager, Scotland.

“Helps cattle make better use of what they eat,” says Roy Magowan about Tracesure boluses