Calcium plays many essential roles in animal and poultry
nutrition. In general, it is required for:
• proper development of bones and teeth
• regulation of heartbeat and blood clotting
• muscle contraction and nerve impulses
• enzyme activation and hormone secretion
• eggshell formation and quality
• reproductive functions (uterine retraction)
• milk production
To support the skeletal development of growing/finishing
dairy and beef cattle, a variety of our products are included in feed. Unical-L
(large granular) is an ingredient in mineral mixes. FreFlo (blend of large to
small granular) is an ingredient in mineral mixes, concentrates and complete
feed. For pelleted feed, concentrates or complete feeds (such as that used for creep feeding
to calves before weaning), Unical-S (small granular) is an excellent choice.
Customers use our Unical-P and Unical-UF (finely ground and ultra-fine powder)
to add calcium in suspensions for liquid feed supplements.
DAIRY
Milk production is a priority and proper calcium is
essential. Dairy cows are milked twice a day in a dairy parlor and that’s
typically where they are fed a complete feed, either pelleted or in meal form,
plus roughage. They might also be fed a total mixed ration.
For beef cows in the breeding herd, after calving a major
emphasis remains on lactation and calcium intake.
Unical-L (large granular) is
used in mineral mixes and
FreFlo (blend of large to small granular) is an
ingredient in mineral mixes, base mixes and complete feed for cows and bulls.
Pelleted concentrates and/or complete feeds are best manufactured by using
Unical-S (small granular).
BEEF
Beef (brood) cows generally graze on pasture or open
range, so their diet from a hay feeder in a dry lot or while grazing is mostly
roughage. Free choice minerals are supplemented to balance their diet.
Unical-L
(large granular particles) works well for mineral mixes.
Until weaned at about seven months of age, much of a calf’s
nutrition comes from its mother’s milk. Roughage the calf eats is supplemented
by the same free choice minerals its mother consumes. To provide additional
nutrition for the calf alone through creep feed, select
FreFlo (if creep is in
meal form) or
Unical-S (if creep feed is pelleted). While there is an emphasis
on milk production for a brood cow, grazing forage and free choice consumption
of minerals will meet her need.
Please contact our Director of Nutrition to discuss
your specific dairy and beef feeding needs by selecting "Nutritionist" on our
contact form.