As the breeding season approaches, Irish farmers are shifting their focus to the critical metrics that drive profitability: conception rates, calving intervals, and the future performance of the calf crop.
While improved genetics and grassland management are staples of modern farming, the role of trace mineral status in reproductive success is often underestimated.
In Ireland, where production systems rely heavily on grass and forage, addressing the “trace mineral gap” before breeding can provide the essential edge needed to maximise herd fertility.
The Irish mineral challenge
Grass and grass-based forages are the backbone of Irish agriculture, yet they are frequently deficient in essential trace minerals.
A report by Rogers and Murphy highlighted that Irish grass silages are commonly low in key nutrients, with 63%…