The Rural Voice, 1983-09, Page 43FARM ADVICE
available to show that feeding of too
much iodine is indeed harmful.
Iodine is an essential element,
however, it is important not to feed
too much. Iodine consumed in excess
may be toxic. Remember that iodine
may be present in concentrate, in
mineral, and in the salt. In a
Michigan study herds fed iodine to
control foot rot commonly received
50 to 400 mg. of iodine per cow daily.
The recommended nutritional
allowance is approximately 10 mg.
per head daily or about 0.5 ppm. dai-
ly in the ration. Milk production
decreased 14 pounds per cow daily
per 1 part per million of iodine in the
milk. Continuous feeding led to poor
reproductive performance, longer
calving intervals and more services
per conception. Higher mortality rate
in calves was noted (14% to 36%).
Cows suffering from iodine toxicity
will have runny noses, red eyes and
increased salivation. Coughing is
heard with increasing frequency due
to a lowered resistance. A stress con-
dition may be created especially dur-
ing hot or warm weather, with conse-
quent weight loss. There is also a
marked effect on the immune system
of the body. No antibody response is
noted. Occasionally there is an in-
crease in the somatic cell count in
milk, because of the rise of blood
neutrophils. Remember, if a little
iodine is good, too much is bad. Be
aware of all the sources from which
your cows are receiving iodine and
take the proper precautions.
"A small infection with worms will
not cause any harm" - false. Just a
small infection with blood sucking
worms will draw (approximately) a
gallon of blood every month. To
replace this blood, the animals will re-
quire 8 pounds of protein. This would
be approximately 20 pounds of soy
bean meal or 80 pounds of mixed
grain extra per month to accom-
modate the worms. See your
veterinarian whether or not this pro-
blem exists in your herd. Recent
research also appears whether or not
this problem exists in your herd. Re-
cent research also appears to indicate
an increase in production in milk
cows that are wormed.
E.L. Rothmel
Assoc. Ag. Rep.
True or False
"I am feeding hay and haylage to
my milking cows. My mineral
salesman tells me I should always
feed a high phosphorus mineral when
only hay and haylage are being fed."
False. Many factors must be taken in-
to consideration. What type of hay or
haylage are you feeding? Is it
predominantly legume or grass? Did
you have the sample analyzed? Even
if your hay is primarily legume, it has
been shown that much of the calcium
in the alfalfa hay is not available (up
to 50%). The ratio between calcium
and phosphorus should be between 2
to 1. As this ratio becomes narrower,
low blood calcium may be the result.
This leads to poor involution of the
uterus, with resultant uterine
discharges along with a prolonged
anaestrus (no heat) period. Retained
placenta may also be a symptom
along with luteal cysts. On the other
hand, too much calcium will throw
the cows off feed. The ovaries may be
small with an absence of functional
corpus lutei. Make sure you get your
hay or haylage analyzed and your ra-
tion balanced. It will save time and
money for you on increased produc-
tion and decreased reproductive pro-
blems.
"Dairy cows will balance their own
needs." False. Work done in South
Dakota, Cornell and the University
of Minnesota, would certainly refute
this statement. The scientists offered
the animals a choice of 10 or more
minerals and vitamins in a cafeteria
style feeding approach. One group
was given corn silage as the only
forage feed, the other group was
given alfalfa. These two forages are
miles apart in their mineral content.
The cattle on corn silage should have
consumed more of the supplemental
elements than those on alfalfa
(especially calcium and phosphorus).
But this did not occur. The intake was
highly variable. Cows already getting
enough calcium etc. tended to eat
more. On the other hand, those cows
which required the mineral, did not
consume any. Don't leave vitamin
and mineral choices up to the cow.
Mix it in the feed to make sure they
are getting the required amount daily.
Force feeding is more efficient than
free choice feeding.
"Feeding high levels of iodine (in
the form of E.D.D.1.) will prevent or
cure foot rot or lump jaw" - false
-data to support this statement has
not been proven. However, data is
If")
ONTARIO ALL BREED SWINE
2ND VIDEO SALE
Wed., Sept. 7, 1983
O.L.E.X.
(Ontario Livestock Exchange)
R.1, Waterloo, Ontario
Sale Previewing:
10:00 A.M. 'til sale time
Sale Time: 1:30 P.M.
BOARS-- OPEN GILTS-- BRED GILTS
Yorkshire --- Landrace --- Hampshire
Duroc ----Spot
All animals have been R.O.P. home
tested & originate from herds which
have a satisfactory health status under
the terms of the Ontario R.O.P. Pro-
gram.
AUCTIONEER:
Hugh Filson,
Denfield, Ont.
For further information:
ONTARIO SWINE
BREEDERS' ASSOC.
Tavistock (519) 655-2463
or 655.2018.
With to -day's
cost squeeze
more farmers
are lowering
their cost
of production
with a
Feed Processing
System
Contact:
KEITH SIEMON
FARM SYSTEMS LTD.
R.R. 4, Walton
345.2734
THE RURAL VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1983 PG. 41