Effects of a dietary organic mineral program including mannan oligosaccharides for pregnant cattle and their calves on calf health and performance

Treatments were assigned within a split-plot design to create a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Pregnant cows and heifers were assigned to receive TMR including 1 of 2 supplemental mineral programs: an organic program, which included proteinate forms of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, and Se in combination with supplemental mannan oligosaccharides and products of yeast and bacterial fermentation, or an inorganic program consisting of sulfate mineral forms and no supplemental mannan oligosaccharides or fermentation products. Heifer calves were randomly assigned to milk replacers and calf starters created using the same mineral programs. Blood was collected from calves at birth, 48 h, and weekly through 6 wk of age for analysis of IgG, haptoglobin, Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn concentrations. Weekly fecal samples were collected through wk 6 for IgA analysis. Daily scores were assigned for fecal, respiratory, and general health. Body weight and hip width were measured weekly through 6 wk and at 12 wk. Starter refusals were collected through wk 7. Mineral treatments did not affect BW; starter intake; plasma IgG, Cu, or Se; fecal IgA; or the frequency of scours. However, feeding the organic mineral program to pregnant cattle reduced the frequency of general health scores >2 and plasma haptoglobin >50 μg/mL. General health scores were also improved by feeding the organic mineral program to calves. The proportion of calves experiencing high haptoglobin and plasma concentrations of Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn varied with week of age. Feeding this organic mineral program may improve calf health and mineral bioavailability.