Ten important reasons why Grasstrac should
be applied this season
Waterlogged fields and extended housing provide 10 very important reasons why every farmer should apply GRASSTRAC this season.
Since Grasstrac editorial and advertising began appearing in the leading equine publications there has been great interest and demand from owners, breeders and trainers.
1. Incessant rains have washed away essential nutrients - Grasstrac provides copper selenium, cobalt, iodine, zinc and sodium continuously through the season.
2. Many pastures were already borderline or worse in nutrient provision - Pasture deficiency - copper 82%: cobalt 52%: iodine 99%: zinc 92%: sodium 48% - and these are ADAS figures not ours!
3. Housed stock may not be in the best condition at turnout - They will gain condition and make the most from grass treated with Grasstrac.
4. A vigorous pecking order for blocks and free access minerals will result in many animals missing out - Remember Grasstrac nutrients - Every animal, Every mouthful, Every day.
5. Vet bills and handling costs for individual animal treatment won't be welcome this year - Grasstrac provides nutrients naturally in a cost efficient, labour saving and stress free way.
6. Deficiencies result in poor health, fertility, problems at birth and reduced performance - Many farmers testify in the Phosyn booklet how Grasstrac has helped overcome these problems and significantly improved performance.
7. Deficiency, particularly of selenium and zinc, will reduce the immunity status to fight disease - Doctors emphasise this importance for humans just as vets do for livestock.
8. A lack of cobalt causes pining and poor performance. Cobalt sulphate is no longer available - Liveweight gain and finishing are key benefits of the cobalt in Grasstrac. Sheep Special has 70% extra cobalt.
9. Fast growing grass is less palatable and not necessarily providing a nutrient balance. - Close proximity of Grasstrac to the roots results in continuous uptake for grass palatability and availability of the key nutrients.
10. Silage aftermath will need extra nutrients for later cuts, grazing and palatibility - Grasstrac´s persistance will provide extra nutrients and improved palatibility.
DR TOM BLAIR ADVISES...
Grazing cattle
Turnout has been greatly delayed by cold, wet weather conditions and the additional burden of the Foot and Mouth crisis. However, it is even more vital that attention is now paid to maximizing the value of grazed grass. Record rainfall means that soils and therefore grass will be more depleted in vital nutrients than normal. Applying Grasstrac will convert this rather "dilute" grass into a more complete feed, laced with trace elements.
It is certainly not too late to apply Grasstrac. Often it makes more sense to spread the granules after the first round of grazing has removed grass which has grown over several months. This is more appropriate for those farmers practising extended grazing.
The importance of trace elements, particularly those incorporated within grass, is becoming increasingly recognised for improving animal performance, fertility and health. Selenium and zinc, in particular, have a valuable function in raising the immunity status of all animals and indeed humans to help them fight a disease challenge. Grasstrac supplies worthwhile levels of these two trace elements as well as copper, cobalt , iodine and sodium.
...AND WHEN TO APPLY GRASSTRAC
Dairy Farmers
Apply after the first round of grazing, which has removed the ´winter´ grass and early growth. This is the practice in Ireland where Grasstrac is now so widely used. Apply after an early silage cut, when regrowth is rapid, and the aftermath of grazing is to be incorporated into the grazing rotation.
Beef Farmers
Turnout is often later than for dairying and there is still time to apply either before grazing starts or once it has started.
Sheep Farmers
Can still be applied for ewes and lambs. Main thrust for weaned lambs moving on to fresh grass. Either Grasstrac or Grasstrac Sheep Special
Silage
It is probably now too late to apply Grasstrac before first-cut silage since a period of between 6 and 8 weeks is required between application and cutting to achieve optimum trace element uptake. However, application immediately first-cut is removed will boost the trace elements in subsequent cuts, maybe as many as 3 more cuts in the dairying situation. Similarly, if the fields are to be grazed after a silage cut, the grazing will benefit by being more palatable and nutrient enriched.
Haylage
A wrapped high DM silage, which undergoes minimal fermentation, is increasingly being produced for the equine market. Often it is made by dairy farmers seeking to diversify. Farmers who have lost stock to ´foot and mouth´ disease may be tempted to make haylage from the surplus grass they will find themselves with. Trace element levels in haylage are frequently low and need a boost from Grasstrac.
Farmers often ask if Grasstrac can be applied with stock in the field.
The answer is YES
Author: Tom Blair, UK
Published: May 2001