Welcome to our Spring 2022 Newsletter! If this is your first time please enjoy various articles written by the staff here at Bio-Ag Consultants & Distributors. Every quarter we bring you new and exciting content about industry trends, agricultural events and more. We always welcome comments from our readers and even provide ad space when available. If you want to receive an emailed copy or paper copy please call our office and our call takers will be happy to put you on our mailing list! For all other inquiries please click here:
Heading into the colder months it is important to keep in mind the extra requirements for our livestock. Whether you are bale grazing or have the herd back in the barn, recognizing two main concepts will help ensure the animals make it through the winter with enough vitality for another successful year!
First, the cold temperatures require the animal to expend more energy to keep warm. Cows that live outside will require some form of wind break and will require more feed to keep warm.
Secondly, the feeding of stored feeds means fewer fresh nutrients from pasture. Stored feeds lose vitamins and some other nutrients continually all throughout storage.
Body Condition
Learning how to assess the body condition of your animals can tune you into changes that may need to be made in the animal’s diet. Condition scoring is especially tricky in winter when animals have thick coats, you may need to get your hands on the animals to properly assess. The animal’s body condition before winter begins will determine the quality of feed required. Cows that are too thin will be required to gain weight during the winter to be able to deliver a healthy calf, provide sufficient amounts of milk and get bred again for the following year. The amount of feed and feed quality required to overwinter a thin cow is significantly higher than a cow in good condition.
Extra Mineral and Vitamin requirements
Supplying enough mineral is very important during winter.
Those who free choice mineral exclusively will notice mineral consumption will increase in the winter months! Usually, the same goes for Seaweed meal, especially towards the end of winter.
Continue to provide free choice salt as well
Water
Still very important in winter; drives consumption of feed
Need some way to keep it unfrozen
Will drink closer to required intake if warmed a little (not ice cold)
Cold water can slow digestion and cause issues especially if drink a lot at once
Digestibility in Forages
Higher digestibility means that ruminants can get more energy out of the hay
Being aware of strategies to make high quality forages is very important for “grass fed” animals
Having good digestibility in your forages makes it less likely that you need to supplement grains
Low digestibility and poor quality forages will result in weight loss
Monitor the herd for signs of energy deficiency such as:
Consistently distended rumens
Scruffy hair coat (different from long hair)
Rumination more than 60 chews
Spinal chill- hair standing up on back around shoulders
Molasses for extra energy
Consider supplementing molasses if more energy required
Molasses also helps with fiber digestibility
Cold Stress
During those extremely cold and windy days cows will need to increase their consumption of forage to stay warm
Make more feed available during these times and do not let them run out
Natural Detox
Autumn and fall bring on a natural detoxification process. Think of colds in humans!
Winter dysentery and pneumonia in the fall and early spring can be the result of the body not having the capability to deal with the expulsion of toxins
During spring and fall it is important to provide enough vitamins and binders (such as clays) to expel toxins successfully
Calving
3-6 weeks before calving consider lead feeding higher quality forages in preparation for calving
An easy way to do this is to offer alfa-alfa forage as part of the ration
Make the change gradually over 1-2 weeks
Adequate energy is required to, not only grow a calf inside, but also make lots of milk for the calf once born
Adequate protein is required to make antibodies for high quality colostrum
Lactating cows consume 30-50% more so be ready to increase feed once the calves start coming
If cannot meet energy or protein requirements with forages then consider supplementing with grains and/or molasses.
Know your Forages!
Test forages ahead of time so you can manage for potential shortcomings
If continue grazing in winter, test the quality of the feed on that pasture to ensure you don’t run into an issue of extreme weight loss- often these pastures are very low quality
Pair lower quality forage with higher quality to ensure consistent nutrition throughout winter
Keep your high-quality hay to feed beginning 3-6 weeks prior to calving until back on pasture
Forages containing legumes will have higher protein than those with just grasses.
In general
Forages made early in the season will have high digestibility and lots of good energy (longest days of sunlight) so don’t wait until July to make all your forages
2nd 3rd and 4th cuts will be higher in protein than 1st cuts
4th cuts and even 3rd cuts that are made late in the season and/or had lots of rain during growth will have very little fiber and high amounts of insoluble protein and need to be slowed down with forages that contain more fiber.
As always, Bio-Ag is here to help you with all your nutrition inquiries and high-quality mineral and vitamin needs! We can test your forages and put together rations and mineral programs for your herd. Please don’t hesitate to contact us or myself directly at [email protected]. Helping you ensure your animals are in the best health is our passion!
Welcome to our Fall 2021 Newsletter! If this is your first time please enjoy various articles written by the staff here at Bio-Ag Consultants & Distributors. Every quarter we bring you new and exciting content about industry trends, agricultural events and more. We always welcome comments from our readers and even provide ad space when available. If you want to receive an emailed copy or paper copy please call our office and our call takers will be happy to put you on our mailing list! For all other inquiries please click here:
Welcome to our Spring 2021 Newsletter! If this is your first time please enjoy various articles written by the staff here at Bio-Ag Consultants & Distributors. Every quarter we bring you new and exciting content about industry trends, agricultural events and more. We always welcome comments from our readers and even provide ad space when available. If you want to receive an emailed copy or paper copy please call our office and our call takers will be happy to put you on our mailing list! For all other inquiries please click here:
Welcome to our Spring 2021 Newsletter! If this is your first time please enjoy various articles written by the staff here at Bio-Ag Consultants & Distributors. Every quarter we bring you new and exciting content about industry trends, agricultural events and more. We always welcome comments from our readers and even provide ad space when available. If you want to receive an emailed copy or paper copy please call our office and our call takers will be happy to put you on our mailing list! For all other inquiries please click here:
Oats are a whole-grain that provide lasting energy to your dog, so she has lots of energy to chew her toys, romp through the snow, and wrestle with her friends.
There are many wonderful benefits of feeding oats to your dog.
FIBRE: Oats provide your dog with fibre, which is essential for gut health.
METHIONINE AND CYSTEINE: Oats are high in methionine and cysteine. These amino acids are important for your dog’s heart health.
CARBOHYDRATES: Oats are an excellent source of carbohydrates and provide your dog with the energy to hike, swim, and play with her friends.
PROTEIN: Oats are also a great source of protein.
B VITAMINS: Oats are rich in B vitamins.
LINOLEIC ACID: Oats are full of linoleic acid. This is a type of omega-6 fatty acid that helps keep skin strong and healthy.
After reading this, you may be craving a bowl of healthy oatmeal for yourself. It’s great to know that this nutritious food has health benefits for you and your best friend too!
~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes
Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario.
Visit Norman's Naturals.com to order your bag today!
Subscription orders are now available!
Peas are a dependable source of plant protein and also contain vitamin K, manganese, fibre, and carbohydrates.
In well-balanced diets, pulses (that’s lentils, beans, peas, and chickpeas) are not harmful to dogs.
A couple of years ago, pulses got blamed for causing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The media pointed the finger at pulses, while animal nutritionists shook their heads. The media was misinformed.
Here are 10 facts to help you understand that peas are not the enemy:
Breeds with the highest prevalence of DCM include Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, English Cocker Spaniels, and Portuguese Water Dogs.
Your dog requires the amino acid, taurine, in their diet to maintain a healthy heart.
Your dog can convert methionine and cysteine into taurine in their body.
Your dog’s physiological need for taurine varies with their breed, age, and sex.
Obesity and diabetes have been related to lower levels of taurine in dogs, so it’s very important to keep your dog at a healthy weight.
Your dog’s food should be fortified with taurine and/or its precursors (methionine and cysteine.)
Researchers have found a link between low blood taurine concentration and DCM in breeds such as Scottish Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Portuguese Water Dogs, English Setters, and Alaskan Malamutes. Providing these dogs with taurine improved their cardiac function.
Animal nutritionists combine multiple ingredients to ensure that your dog receives a healthy and balanced diet.
Pulses have been used in pet food for two decades to provide quality protein and fibre sources.
Peas are a great source of fibre that can help control body weight.
Norman’s Naturals includes real chicken, barley, oats, and rice, so your dog gets the methionine, cysteine, and taurine she needs. We also include DL-methionine.
Your dog deserves quality nutrition. Our delicious Chicken and Rice blend is balanced, tasty, and sure to provide your dog with lasting energy.
~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes
Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario.
Visit Norman's Naturals.com to order your bag today!
Subscription orders are now available!
BROWN RICE: Why Natural Whole Grains are Good for Dogs
Brown rice is a natural whole grain. It provides your dog with essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It is also a great source of fibre.
There are so many benefits to including brown rice as your dog’s source of fibre. By slowing down transit time, fibre helps to keep your dog feeling full for longer.
A diet high in fibre is also a great nutritional strategy for controlling your dog’s body weight. By keeping your dog a healthy body weight, you’re preventing her from getting diseases like diabetes. You’re also making sure that her joints stay healthy, so she can enjoy pain-free walks with you and her dog friends too.
Having a high-quality fibre source is very important to your dog’s gut health.
Have you heard of prebiotics?
Prebiotics are foods that are typically high in fibre that acts as food for the microflora in your gut.
Fibre can act as a prebiotic and increase the number of health-promoting microbiota in the gut, including lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
There are other benefits to including brown rice in Norman’s Naturals as well.
Did you know that brown rice is a source of methionine and cysteine (amino acids important to your dog’s heart health?)
There’s another important reason for including healthy fibre in your dog’s diet. That’s right: high-quality fibre can reduce the incidence of diarrhea.
Whether your dog loves dashing through the snow, playing with friends at doggy daycare, or leaping through hoops at agility class, Norman’s Naturals will give them the energy they need to make every day their best day.
~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes
Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario.
Visit Norman's Naturals.com to order your bag today!
Subscription orders are now available!
Dogs need high-quality proteins to provide them with energy to run and play.
Chicken meal is an extremely rich protein. It is made of muscle meat.
Unlike chicken byproduct, chicken meal is made of 100% chicken meat. It is a trustworthy and consistent source of protein.
Chicken is also a source of methionine, cysteine, and taurine (amino acids important to your dog’s heart health.)
Did you know that dogs can convert the amino acids methionine and cysteine into taurine in their body?
It’s very important that your dog gets enough taurine in its diet because low levels of taurine in the blood can lead to heart issues like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM.)
Cases of DCM related to low levels of taurine in the blood have been reported in many different breeds, including Scottish Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Portuguese Water Dogs, English Setters, and Alaskan Malamutes. Providing these dogs with taurine improved their cardiac function.
Question: Which breeds are genetically predisposed to DCM?
Answer: Breeds with the highest prevalence of DCM include Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, English Cocker Spaniels, and Portuguese Water Dogs.
By carefully selecting high-quality food for your best friend, you will reduce the risk of your dog developing DCM.
Question: What about flavour?
Answer: Our Chicken and Brown Rice blend tips the scale on flavour. Just ask Moose!
Moose is a Doberman Pinscher, who was an extremely picky eater. He turned his nose up at every kibble until he found Norman’s Naturals. Three years later, it’s still the only food he’ll eat! He needs energy for the long hikes he loves to take with his owner.
What’s your dog’s favourite activity? Leave a comment below!
~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes
Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario.
Visit Norman's Naturals.com to order your bag today!
Subscription orders are now available!
Our animal nutritionist selects quality ingredients to ensure your dog lives a long and healthy life. By combining a variety of different nutrients, she ensures that our kibble is both balanced and tasty.
By carefully selecting a variety of meat, grains, legumes, and even amino acids, our nutritionist makes sure that your dog gets the necessary nutrients he requires.
Here are our top five ingredients:
CHICKEN MEAL
Chicken meal is an extremely rich protein. It is made of muscle meat. Chicken is a great source of methionine and taurine (amino acids important to your dog’s heart health).
BROWN RICE
Brown rice is a natural whole grain. It provides your dog with essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It is also a great source of fibre.
WHOLE PEAS
Peas are a dependable source of plant protein and also contain vitamin K, manganese, fibre, and carbohydrates.
WHOLE OATS
Oats are high in methionine and cysteine. These amino acids are important for your dog’s heart health. Oats are a whole grain and provide lasting energy to your dog.
BARLEY
We use this whole grain to support your dog’s digestive health. It is an excellent source of fibre, carbohydrates, and B vitamins.
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