Don’t Risk Copper Deficiency - be Sure with Copasure
US - Dietary copper intake depends on the speed, stage of growth and variety of pasture, soil or dust intake and mineral content of water source. Molybdenum, sulphur, iron and zinc are all minerals found naturally in pasture, soil and water that can cause copper problems for ruminants, such as altered coat color, lack of growth, mild scour and infertility.
7 September 2012
2 minute read
Dietary copper intake depends on the speed, stage of growth and variety of pasture, soil or dust intake and mineral content of water source. Molybdenum, sulphur, iron and zinc are all minerals found naturally in pasture, soil and water that can cause copper problems for ruminants, such as altered coat color, lack of growth, mild scour and infertility.
Molybdenum and sulphur combine with amino acids in the rumen to form a problematic poison, thiomolybdate. This is highly attractive to copper. Once copper binds on to thiomolybdate to form a new insoluble chemical the copper is no longer available to the animal. Iron and zinc, like copper, are stored in the liver. If in abundant supply these two minerals will limit the liver’s storage capacity for copper.
Copper can be deficient in the diet at different times, such as during the rainy season when grass is growing quickly, or when cattle are grazed on young cereals. When copper is low in the diet and the problematic minerals molybdenum, sulphur, iron and zinc are high, for example when pastures are dry and full of dust, or when pastures are wet and muddy, the liver can quickly become depleted of copper.
Copasure® - Slow release safe copper supplementation over a six month period is the obvious solution. Copasure® needles delivered by bolus are slowly dissolved in the abomasum. Intestinal copper absorption makes both the rumen saliva and the liver rich in copper. Copasure® provides a defence against problem minerals. Copper from the Copasure® needles recycled to the rumen binds on to thiomolybdate poisons to create insoluble complexes which the body rejects. Liver levels can be elevated safely for over six months using Copasure®. The benefits for ranchers and dairymen in terms of growth rate, health status of cattle, and fertility are tangible.
