Improve health and performance of your dairy herd with Selko IntelliOpt Cr

Trace minerals are essential, especially for high performing dairy cattle enduring challenging conditions. Selko IntelliOpt Cr is a unique sulphate-free nutritional package containing a combination of Selko IntelliBond hydroxy trace mineral sources and Optimin organic trace mineral sources in one convenient blend. Selko IntelliOpt Cr improves palatability of the feed, increases feed stability and optimizes fibre digestion by rumen microbes, while delivering a high level of trace metal availability

Chromium, which is present in the form of chromium propionate, plays a crucial role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins in dairy cattle[1]. Acting as a cofactor for insulin, chromium enhances insulin sensitivity[2], facilitating the uptake of glucose by cells and promoting energy utilization.

The importance of feed efficiency of dairy cows

Feed efficiency is the most important performance indicator for a dairy farm. Increasing feed efficiency will increase income over feed costs while reducing carbon footprint of a farm. Improving feed efficiency of dairy cows should therefore be a high priority on any farm. Improving fibre digestibility can have a huge positive impact on feed efficiency of dairy cows. Sulphate trace minerals are known to have antimicrobial effects. The sulphate salts commonly used in dairy feed are highly soluble in the rumen, resulting in high peak concentrations of free metal ions[3], which can negatively affect rumen microbes, especially those responsible for fiber digestion.

For Selko IntelliOpt Cr, trace mineral sources have been selected that are largely insoluble at a pH of 4 or higher. The rumen pH of dairy cattle is typically between 6 and 6.5, so hydroxy trace mineral crystals in Selko IntelliOpt Cr are essentially insoluble within the rumen. In the abomasum, where the pH is usually below 3, the crystals dissociate layer by layer, resulting in a gradual and sustained release of trace mineral ions into the duodenum. As a result, peak concentrations in the rumen always remain low. This is why Selko IntelliOpt Cr does not have a negative impact on fibre digestibility.

Several studies[3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12] have shown that NDF digestibility improves if the hydroxy trace mineral sources in Selko IntelliOpt Cr are fed to cattle (see figure 2).

Several trials[11,12] have shown that milk production increases in early lactation if cows are being fed Selko IntelliOpt hydroxy trace minerals compared to sulphates. In a more recent trial carried out by the University of Florida, this difference was 1.5 kg of Energy Corrected Milk per day[31].

UFL trial, materials and methods

One group of 71 dairy cows (31 heifers, 40 multiparous cows) was fed Selko IntelliOpt Cr copper, zinc and manganese sources of hydroxy trace minerals, a second group of dairy cows (30 heifers, 40 multiparous cows) was fed sulphates. Cows were in the trial between 28 days before calving until 105 days in milk.

UFL trial, results

Cows fed Selko IntelliOpt Cr hydroxy trace minerals produced more colostrum with similar levels of immunoglobulin[30]. A difference of 1.5 kg of Energy Corrected Milk per day was found[30] (See Figure 3). Cows fed Selko IntelliOpt Cr hydroxy trace minerals had a lower percentage of retained placenta, a lower incidence of metritis and other diseases[32], an improved fertility[31] and a lower culling rate[32] during the first lactation.

Selko IntelliOpt Cr combines the benefits of Selko IntelliOpt with the benefits of chromium supplementation. By improving glucose metabolism of dairy cows, chromium supplementation can enhance milk yield, reduce the incidence of metabolic disorders such as ketosis, and promote overall herd health. Additionally, chromium has been shown to have positive effects on reproductive performance, immune function, and hoof integrity in dairy cattle. Overall, the responsible use of chromium propionate in dairy nutrition offers many benefits, optimizing productivity and welfare in dairy herds.

MSU trial with chromium in dairy cows, material and methods

A total of 36 dairy cows were included in the study[13], half of the animals was fed the chromium source in Selko IntelliOpt Cr, the other half was fed the same mineral source but without chromium included.

MSU trial with chromium in dairy cows, results

Treatment of dairy cows with chromium increased milk yield (see Figure 4) and milk protein levels and there was a tendency for an increase in milk fat percentage. This resulted in a difference of 4.4 kg of ECM per day.

An analysis of 35 studies[14,1,5,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29] in dairy cows with chromium showed that the weighted average response in daily milk yield calculated out at 1.56 kg/head/day (see Figure 5).

Feed efficiency of dairy cows is an important driver of farm profitability. Feeding Selko IntelliOpt Cr improves digestibility of fibre in the diet, resulting in an improvement of feed efficiency, health and lactational performance of dairy cows. Moving to Selko IntelliOpt Cr will make your animals more efficient, resulting in an excellent return on investment.

1. Malik, M.I, Jonker, A, Raboisson, D, Song, B, Rashid, M.A. and X. Sun (2024). Effects of dietary chromium supplementation on blood biochemical parameters in dairy cows: A multilevel meta-analytical approach. J. Dairy Sci. 107: 301-316.

2. Leiva, T, Cooke, R.F, Aboin, A.C, Drago,F.L, Gennari, R. and J. L. M. Vasconcelos (2014). Effects of excessive energy intake and supplementation with chromium propionate on insulin resistance parameters in nonlactating dairy cows. J. Anim. Sci. 2014.92:775–782.

3. Caldera, C.E, Weigel, B, Kucharczyk, V.N, Sellins, K.S, Archibeque, S.L, Wagner, J.J, Han, H, Spears, J.B. and T.E. Engle (2019). Trace mineral source influences ruminal distribution of copper and zinc and their binding strength to ruminal digesta. J. Anim. Sci., 97:1852-1864.

4. Faulkner, M.J. and W.P. Weiss (2017). Effect of source of trace minerals in either forage- or by-product-based diets fed to dairy cows: 1. Production and macronutrient digestibility, Journal of Dairy Science 100:5358-53-67.

5. Miller, M.D, Lanier, J.S, Kvidera, S.K, Dann, H.M, Ballard, C.S. and R.J. Grant (2020). Evaluation of source of corn silage and trace minerals on lactational performance and total-tract nutrient digestibility in Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci., 103:3147-3160.

6. Guimaraes, O, Jalali, S, Wagner, T, Spears, J and T. Engle (2019). The influence of trace mineral source on fiber digestion, rumen fermentation characteristics, and mineral solubility in beef cattle fed a low-quality forage diet. J. An. Science. 97, Issue Supp. 3: 167.

7. Guimaraes, O, Wagner, T, Spears, J and T. Engle (2020). Influence of trace mineral source on digestion, ruminal volatile fatty acid and soluble mineral on steers fed a dairy type diet balanced to meet requirements for a high producing lactating dairy cow. J. An. Science. 98, Issue Supp. 3: 133–134.

8. Caldera, C.E, Weigel, B, Kucharczyk, V.N, Sellins, K.S, Archibeque, S.L, Wagner, J.J, Han, H, Spears, J.B. and T.E. Engle (2019). Trace mineral source influences ruminal distribution of copper and zinc and their binding strength to ruminal digesta. J. Anim. Sci., 97:1852-1864.

9. Genther, O.N. and S.L. Hansen (2015). The effect of trace mineral source and concentration on ruminal digestion and mineral solubility. J. Dairy Sci., 98: 566-573.

10. Van Kuijk, S, Swiegers, P and Y. Han (2022), Hydroxychloride trace minerals improve apparent total tract nutrient digestibility in Bonsmara beef cattle. Livestock Science: 256(4):104820.

11. Yasui, T, Ryan, C.M, Gilbert, R.O, Perryman, K.R. and T. R. Overton (2014). Effects of hydroxy trace minerals on oxidative metabolism, cytological endometritis, and performance of transition dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 97: 3728-3738.

12. Daniel, J.B, Kvidera, S.K. and J. Martín-Tereso (2020). Total-tract digestibility and milk productivity of dairy cows as affected by trace mineral sources. J. Dairy Sci. 103 (10).

13. Parales-Giron, J, dos Santos Neto, J.M. and A. L. Lock, (2020) Supplemental palmitic acid and chromium propionate impact production responses during the immediate postpartum period in multiparous dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 104, Suppl. 1:148.

14. Yasui T, McArt J.A, Ryan C.M, Gilbert R.O, Nydam D.V, Valdez F, Griswold K.E. and T.R. Overton (2014) Effects of chromium propionate supplementation during the periparturient period and early lactation on metabolism, performance, and cytological endometritis in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci 2014;97: 6400-10.

15. Hayirli A., Bremmer, D.R, Bertics, S.J, Socha, M.T. and R. R. Grummer (2001). Effect of Chromium Supplementation on Production and Metabolic Parameters in Periparturient Dairy Cows J. Dairy Sci. 84:1218–1230.

16. Vargas-Rodriguez, C.F, Yuan, K, Titgemeyer ,E.C, Mamedova, L.K, Griswold, K.E. and B. J. Bradford (2013). Effects of supplemental chromium propionate and rumen-protected amino acids on productivity, diet digestibility, and energy balance of peak-lactation dairy cattle J. Dairy Sci. 97:3815-3821.

17. Soltan, M. A. (2010). Effect of dietary chromium supplementation on productive and reproductive performance of early lactating dairy cows under heat stress. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. (Berl.) 94:264–272.

18. Sadri, H., G. R. Ghorbani, H. R. Rahmani, A. H. Samie, M. Khorvash, and R. M. Bruckmaier (2009). Chromium supplementation and substitution of barley grain with corn: Effects on performance and lactation in periparturient dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 92:5411–5418.

19. Smith, K. L., M. R. Waldron, J. K. Drackley, M. T. Socha, and T. R. Overton (2005). Performance of dairy cows as affected by prepartum dietary carbohydrate source and supplementation with chromium throughout the transition period. J. Dairy Sci. 88:255.

20. Bryan, M. A., M. T. Socha, and D. J. Tomlinson (2004). Supplementing intensively grazed late-gestation and early-lactation dairy cattle with chromium. J. Dairy Sci. 87:4269–4277.

21. Kafilzadeh F., Shabankareh H.K. and M.R. Targhibi (2012). Effect of chromium supplementation on productive and reproductive performances and some metabolic parameters in late gestation and early lactation of dairy cows. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2012;149:42–49.

22. Targhibi et al., (2012). Energy Metabolites, Lipid Variables and Lactation Performance of Periparturient Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Fed on Diet Supplemented with Inorganic Chromium. Asian J. Anim. Vet. Adv. 7(11):1205-1211.

23. Rockwell R.J. and M.S. Allen (2011). Chromium propionate supplementation during the peripartum period interacts with starch source fed postpartum: Production responses during the immediate postpartum and carryover periods. J. Dairy Sci. 94: 738.

24. McNamara, J.P. and F. Valdez (2005). Adipose tissue metabolism and production responses to calcium propionate and chromium propionate. J. Dairy Sci., 88 (2005), pp. 2498-2507.

25. Terramoccia, S, Bartocci, S. and E. Lillini (2005). Milk yield and immune response of periparturient and early lactation Friesian cows fed diets supplemented with a high level of amino-acid chelated chromium Asian - Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 18:1098-1104.

26. Mirzaei, M. Ghorbani, G.R, Khorvash, M. Rahmani, H.R. and A. Nikkhah (2011). Chromium improves production and alters metabolism of early lactation cows in summer. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. 95:81-89.

27. Al-Saiadi, M.Y, Al-Shaikh, M.A, Al-Mofarrej, S.I, Al-Showeimi, T.A., Mogawer, H. H. and A. Dirrar (2004). Effect of chelated chromium supplementation on lactation performance and blood parameters of Holstein cows under heat stress. Animal Feed Science and Technology 117, 223–233.

28. Pechova, A, Podhorsky, A, Lokajova, E, Pavlata, L. and L. Illek (2002). Metabolic effects of chromium supplementation in dairy cows in the peripartal period. Acta Veterianaria Brunensis 71, 9–18.

29. An-Qiang, L, Zhi-Sheng, W. and Z. An-Guo (2009). Effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on early lactation performance, rectal temperatures, respiration rates and plasma biochemical response of Holstein cows under heat stress. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 8 (7): 940-945.

30. Adeoti, T, Sarwar, Z, Marinho, M.N, Rasia, J, Oliveira, L.R.S, Simões, B.S, Perdomo, M.C, Griswold, K. and J. E. P. Santos. (2024). Effects of source of trace minerals on production performance in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci,107, Supplement 1, 242.

31. Sawar, Z, Adeoti, T, Marinho, M.N, Rasia, J, Oliveira, L.R.S, Simões, B.S, Perdomo, M.C, Griswold, K. and J. E. P. Santos. (2024).Effect of source of trace minerals on conceptus development and reproduction in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci,107, Supplement 1, 231.

32. Sawar, Z, Adeoti, T, Marinho, M.N, Rasia, J, Oliveira, L.R.S, Simões, B.S, Perdomo, M.C, Griswold, K. and J. E. P. Santos. (2024). Effects of source of trace minerals on health and survival of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci,107, Supplement 1, 353.