The oxidative balance of a dairy cow is one of the many factors that can limit milk production and a producer’s bottom line. That’s why Novus International places a lot of emphasis on helping dairy producers control or eliminate oxidative stress in their animals.
Diet plays a key role in oxidative balance since vitamin and mineral imbalances can be linked to oxidative stress. There is a natural balance between free-radical formation and the defense system and for a dairy cow to stay healthy, the systems should stay in balance. But when the body is under stress, free radicals can get out of balance. When this system is out of balance, the body initiates an oxidative chain reaction, resulting in oxidative stress. The nutrition program can benefit from the proper balance of antioxidants, minerals and amino acids.
At World Dairy Expo, I sat down with Dr. Dennis Nuzback, Technical Services Manager for Novus, and got a lesson in oxidative balance. “Novus’ oxidative balance program is basically designed around three products,” Dennis explains. “First is the anti-oxidant package called Agrado-Plus, and the minute that gets mixed with the TMR that product can begin to scavenge free radicals in the diet, decreasing the free radical load to the cow.”
Next is an amino acid product like Alimet or MFP, “that has both a ruminal effect and a metobolizable or bypass methionine effect.” The methionine can be converted into the amino acid cysteine, which is used extensively by the immune system. Finally, trace mineral supplements such as Mintrex and Zorien SeY provide key components of antioxidant enzymes.
It’s all pretty technical stuff, but a dairy producer doesn’t need a degree in chemistry or biology to understand the bottom line. “Through a variety of field trials we try to present the results of our products in something the dairyman can understand,” he said. “If for a 15 cent investment in those different products, you can get three more pounds of milk, which hit 16 bucks in Iowa last month – 48 cents for a 15 cent investment, that’s a very reasonable return on investment.”
Find out more at dairybalance.com and listen to my interview with Dennis here. Dennis Nuzback Interview
3 Comments on “Novus Does Oxidative Balancing Act”
This is good information. I found your website very interesting.
This is good information. I found your website very interesting.
This is good information. I found your website very interesting.