Redmond Ag Blog

Redmond Program for Dairy Cow Health

Written by Brooke Loeffler | Oct 3, 2023 7:15:20 PM

Since the 1950s, Redmond Minerals has supported healthy farming operations of all sizes with our unique mineral and volcanic harvests from central Utah. We know that Nature Has it Right™, and that your animals respond best to nature made formulas. That's why all our products start with a foundation of our ancient sea minerals, volcanic clay, or a combination of the two. From there, our livestock health and nutrition experts specially formulate and package to meet each species needs. We are also happy to work with you to create custom mineral mixes that are tailored to your specifications.

Dairy Cow Health Concerns

Redmond is proud to offer a selection of mineral and clay products that have proven benefits for helping dairy cows through all stages of life. We care deeply about helping you and your herd with a wide range of concerns so you can get back to what you love about raising animals. Click on each of the sections below to learn more about how Redmond can help your cows and dairy operation thrive:

Rumen health

  • Dairy farms commonly look to sodium bicarbonate (bicarb) to help with rumen acid control. But did you know that nature made something better than bicarb? The sodium bentonite at Redmond's volcanic deposit buffers rumen acid just as well as bicarb, but also does so much more. Don't settle for simple acid buffering, when you can also improve fiber digestion, feed efficiency, control ammonia levels, and bind to feed toxins at the same time.

Fly and biting pest prevention

  • Flies, ticks, and other biting pests rob your cows of blood, vital nutrients, and energy. Redmond wants to simplify your pest prevention program and help you ditch the sprays, roll-ons, ear tags, and hassle of constantly switching pesticides. Instead, Redmond uses the natural power of garlic as effective fly control for your herd...and good news, it doesn't taint the flavor or quality of your milk!

Blood mineral levels

  • Heavy mineral mixes are bitter, out of balance, and result in a lot of mineral waste. Fortunately, the minerals at the Redmond deposit mirror the mineral profile found in healthy livestock blood, both in type and concentration. This is why our salt excels at replenishing those minerals, essential for your cows' health, without the waste. Liver biopsy results show that Redmond minerals will help your herd maintain proper mineral levels all year long.

Immunity

  • Most North American soils are low in selenium, making it a common deficiency for grazing and foraging cows. As an antioxidant essential for immune health, selenium fortified Redmond mineral mixes are the perfect choice to keep diseases down in your herd. Dairy cows are especially susceptible to metabolic diseases like milk fever/hypocalcemia, retained placenta, and ketosis.

Stronger heats

  • Strong heats and estrus cycles are directly tied to healthy body condition scores and thriving rumen. The winning combination of Redmond minerals and our volcanic conditioners can help you nourish heifer fertility and increase productivity for your dairy operation. 

Conception rates

  • Dairy farmers across the country are happy to report stronger heats, improved pregnancy rates, successful pregnancies in problem animals, and considerable savings after switching to Redmond Minerals. 

Acidosis

  • Ruminal acidosis can completely shut down your cows' digestive system and even result in death losses. This downward spiral through sub-acute and acute acidosis can be reversed and prevented with a powerful rumen buffer (like sodium bentonite) along with feed and carbohydrate adjustments. 

Pregnancy health

  • Did you know that 75% of fetal calf growth happens during the last trimester? This added stress on your cows mean they need extra trace mineral supplementation during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. Redmond's unique mineral profile and balanced fortifications can help your herd with a healthy calving season and following lactation cycle.

Heat and weather stress 

  • During the hot summer months, your cows are losing more than just water. Heat and humidity also strip your herd of essential electrolytes that need to be replenished daily. White salt supplements only offer 1 salty electrolyte (sodium chloride). Redmond Minerals contain a nature balanced blend of 4 electrolyte salts and over 60 trace minerals.

Mastitis and udder health

  • Swollen teats, mastitis, and other udder problems can afflict any dairy production. Reducing swelling, redness, and heat in affected tissue will make milking more comfortable and productive for your cows. Redmond's pre-hydrated bentonite clay + essential oils are the perfect treatment for both organic and traditional operations.

Feed toxin binding

  • Molds and mycotoxins can be a problem whether you grow feed for your livestock or purchase from a supplier. Independent studies have found that bentonite clay is an effective toxin binder both inside your cows' digestive system, and as a soil supplement to reduce toxin counts in feed crops.

Dry period health

  • Currently lactating cows sometimes get all the attention on a dairy farm. But investing in extra trace mineral supplementation for your dry cows can significantly improve future milk yield, calf gains, and resistance to diseases and problems during their next calving and lactation cycle.

Calf death losses

  • When scours and dehydration strike, it can be very difficult to treat and reduce calf mortality rates quick enough. Having an all natural, calf immune stimulator on hand before calving season starts is the best way to prevent and treat scours. Testing conducted by the experts at UC Davis Veterinary College have found that supplementing with smectite (bentonite) clays can reduce death losses by 63%!

Iron deficiency

  • Mineral deficiencies, like iron, in cattle can be difficult to diagnose before they start hurting your farm's production. Remember, that mineral and nutrient levels in your forage vary over the course of the year, so maintaining a mineral program for your cows is the best way to fill in the gaps in their diet.

Grass tetany

  • Low magnesium levels in soil and forage are dangerous for grazing cows, and can cause grass tetany any time of year (although it most commonly occurs in the spring). Cattle at any life stage can get grass tetany, but female cows that are heavily lactating, older dams nursing newborns, or postpartum dams are at higher risk. Preventing magnesium deficiency is the best way to protect your herd year round.

Redmond Dairy Cow Supplements

Redmond dairy cow products can help your herd thrive through all stages of life:

Birth - 2 Months

Redmond First Month is a powerful calf immune stimulator that naturally treats and prevents scours in your newborns. Reduce death losses and restore gut function with this simple to use bottle supplement that saves you from the devastating costs of high calf losses.

Weaning - last trimester

For heifers, our nutritional experts have Redmond Heifer Mineral for weaning until the last trimester of the first pregnancy. Heifer mineral contains a 35/65 blend of our delicious sea minerals and volcanic clay conditioner. From there, this mix is further fortified with extra calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamins A, D, and E. Heifer Mineral prepares your cows' systems for delivery and their first round of milk production. Offer dairy cows 1/3 lb. per head per day and adjust in proportion to body size for smaller cattle.

last trimester - calving

During the last trimester and up until calving, Redmond offers our Heifer Mineral mix, a pre-mix of 35% sea minerals and 65% volcanic clay conditioner. This foundation is also fortified with added calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamins A, D, and E needed for healthy calving and to prepare them for the lactation stage. Give your dairy cows 1/3 lb. per head per day and adjust in proportion to body size for smaller cattle.

lactation - dairy production cycle

To support your cows during their milking stage, Redmond recommends Vita-Pac, our concentrated blend of minerals and vitamins that lactating cows need. Vita-Pac contains calcium, selenium, and vitamins A, D, and E and should be added to Redmond SR 65. Offer 1/2 oz. per head per day mixed into total mixed rations and adjust for smaller cattle.

After lactation, dairy cows should rotate between Dry Cow Mineral and Vita-Pac for gestation and lactation respectively. 

Add Ons

For added fly and biting pest control, we offer 10 Fine with Garlic; a powerful and natural solution to complicated and costly pest repellants. 10 Fine with Garlic metabolizes through the hide to protect your cows from pesky bites all year long. Offer free choice or at 4 oz. per head per day in rations.

For all lactating animals, Redmond also offers a pre-hydrated bentonite clay Udder Mud™. This natural mastitis treatment is the perfect solution to swollen, red, and inflamed tissue and is loved by both organic and traditional dairy operations. 

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