Supporting Your Dairy Herd With Chromium
Chromium is gaining new attention in dairy nutrition as producers and nutritionists look for ways to support the metabolic demands of today’s high-producing cows. Dr. Daryl Kleinschmit, discovery researcher with Zinpro, explains why chromium matters for glucose metabolism and creates opportunities to support milk production, reproduction and consistent performance.
“Chromium plays a very critical role in dairy cow nutrition because, when you think about it, dairy cows have significant energy demands every day, including the needs for milk production, breeding, health, etc.," Kleinschmit said. "So, the ability to effectively use available glucose matters throughout the production cycle. Chromium plays an important role in optimizing glucose use and energy metabolism to help meet these demands. As a result, effective chromium nutrition can help support stronger, steadier performance year-round, rather than just a nutritional tool during periods of stress, like transition or heat stress.”
Give Your Cows A Better Start
Chromium, he noted, plays a role in supporting milk production and reproductive performance.
“Chromium supports insulin function, right? So, helping optimize glucose uptake and energy use, so glucose can be used better, where it matters, right? So stronger energy metabolism can support milk production while also helping cows maintain the energy status needed for reproductive performance," said Kleinschmit. "Optimized energy status can give cows a better start and a much better opportunity to conceive and breed back successfully.”
Kleinschmit added its very important producers take note of the form or source of chromium.
“Different chromium forms use different pathways, which can influence how effectively chromium supports insulin function, glucose uptake, and of course, energy metabolism," said Kleinschmit. "As a result, nutritionists should consider the technology behind the chromium source, not just simply the amount to include in the ration. The goal is to move beyond bioavailability alone and consider bioefficacy, whether chromium reaches the sites of metabolic action and produces the intended production responses.”
Activate The Metabolism
Kleinschmit added there are new opportunities emerging for dairy producers and nutritionists to get more from chromium nutrition.
“Interestingly, Zinpro recently announced the U.S. availability of Zinpro Availa Chromium. Zinpro actually pioneered chromium methionine globally, and Zinpro Availa Chromium has been researched and used in herds around the world for more than two decades," Kleinschmit said. "Zinpro Availa Chromium has strong stability and targeted delivery. This activates metabolism more effectively than propionate forms, optimizing glucose use and year-round performance. This has been supported by a 28 study meta-analysis that was published earlier this year. And what we found in that meta-analysis was that Zinpro Availa Chromium provides 600 pounds more milk in lactation compared to the nearest competitor.”
He added for more information on how bioeffective chromium nutrition can support dairy cow metabolism and performance, visit Zinpro's Website or talk with your nutritionist.
If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com
More From PNW Ag Network
