CALL FREE 0800 BALANCE
Register
Logout
CALL FREE 0800 BALANCE
Login |
Register

CALL FREE 0800 BALANCE

Register
Logout
Agvance Logo | Agvance Nutrition New Zealand

Water‑soluble minerals

Are you sure your cows are getting the minerals they need? Solutrace is Agvance’s range of water‑soluble mineral products designed to be added to drinking water to fill mineral gaps cost‑effectively. When your water system is reliable and well calibrated, water delivery can provide consistent coverage for groups that are hard to manage with licks or in‑feed options.

Talk to your Agvance Consultant today.

Jump to

Timing and risk windows
What to do this week
What to monitor
Matching products to your system
FAQs
Products

Timing and risk windows

Routine herd maintenance

Main risk: Low‑level mineral shortfalls that reduce fertility, growth or production over time. Regular water dosing keeps steady background coverage.

Close‑up and calving window (3 weeks before to 72 hrs after calving)

Main risk: Rapid calcium and phosphorus demand. Water‑soluble products can deliver targeted boosts to close‑up groups if dosing and uptake are reliable.

Seasonal feed shifts (spring pasture flush, drought or winter supplements)

Main risk: Feed composition changes fast. Water dosing lets you quickly adjust mineral supply to match the current diet.

Short‑term high‑risk periods (weather events, transport, outbreaks)

Main risk: Increased stress and mineral demand. Short courses via water can support groups through the event.

What to do this week

  • Check your water system – flow rates, group isolation (ability to dose specific mobs), and any bypasses or leaks.
  • Confirm daily water consumption for target groups so you can calculate the correct product doses.
  • Choose the Solutrace formulation that matches the group need (e.g., calcium/ phosphorus support, trace elements, electrolytes) and have stock on farm.
  • Calibrate your dosing pump or injector and run a test batch to confirm dose accuracy.
  • Plan which mobs will be dosed (close‑ups, springers, milkers, youngstock) and set monitoring points.

What to monitor

In the paddock

  • Water uptake consistency per mob, sudden drops indicate pump or supply issues.
  • Cow behaviour at water troughs, note competition or avoidance reduces dose reliability.
  • Clinical signs- milk fever, down cows, poor coat, reduced appetite or slow recovery after stress events.

 

On‑paper 

  • Water dosing logs – product, dose rate, dates and mobs treated.
  • Herd performance- BCS trends, fertility, milk yield and incidence of metabolic disease before and after dosing.
  • Any lab results or vet tests (blood or liver) that inform mineral status.
  • Equipment maintenance and calibration records.

Matching products to your system

Agvance has products for each system – free choice, dusting, water-soluble and premix options. Use the following as a starting point. Final rates still depend upon diet details and vet or nutritionist advice. The Water Soluble category includes products such as Solutrace Dairy, Solutrace FE, Solutrace CuZinc, Solutrace Amino, Solutrace DCM, Solutrace DCM Plus, Pentamin SI Plus and Solutrace Southerner.

Water-soluble (good when you can isolate mobs on a dedicated water line or trough and intake is stable)

  • Solutrace Dairy – A practical option for dairy mobs where you want water-soluble mineral coverage through a reliable dosing system.
  • Solutrace FE – Suited to periods when facial eczema support is part of the seasonal mineral plan.
  • Solutrace CuZinc – A targeted option when copper and zinc are the minerals you want to deliver through the water.
  • Solutrace Amino – Useful when you want a water-soluble option that includes amino support during higher-demand periods.
  • Solutrace DCM Plus – Suited to mobs needing a more targeted water-soluble programme through a calibrated system.

When water-soluble works best (good when you need a short-term boost or background coverage)

  • Dedicated water lines or troughs – Best when you can isolate groups and measure intake with confidence.
  • Stable water intake – Best when the target mob has predictable water use, so doses stay accurate.
  • Short-term or seasonal use – Useful for close-up cows, stress periods, or seasonal mineral gaps where licks are not the best fit.

When not to rely on water-soluble alone (good to check before you start dosing)

  • Mixed groups on one water source – Variable intake between cows makes dosing less reliable.
  • Poor water system control – Intermittent pumps, leaks or unknown flow rates make accuracy hard to maintain.
  • Limited trough access – Competition or poor drinking behaviour can reduce intake and throw dosing off.

Practical tips

  • Match the product to the gap – Use water-soluble products for calcium and phosphorus support around calving, trace mineral top-ups in seasonal gaps, or added support during higher-stress periods.
  • Use water dosing as part of the wider plan – Water-soluble minerals should sit alongside good feeding, licks, or in-feed premixes, not replace them.
  • Check calibration often – Reconfirm pump settings and dose accuracy after any system change.

FAQs

Can I dose the whole farm water supply?

A. Only if all cows need the same treatment and you accept group variability. Prefer dosing isolated groups to avoid under‑ or over‑supplying others.

A. Base doses on average water intake for the target group and the product label. Measure flow rate and consumption, then calibrate the injector or pump before starting.

A. Water‑soluble calcium/phosphorus products can reduce risk when used correctly for close‑up groups, but they must be part of an overall transition plan and managed with vet advice.

A. Poor calibration, leaks or bypasses, mixed water sources, low intake at troughs, or treating the wrong group. Regular checks fix most issues.

A. Yes, Solutrace formulations can be adjusted for youngstock needs, but ensure doses match intake and life‑stage requirements.

Your vet or Agvance Consultant can help choose the right Solutrace product, calculate doses, and check your water system for reliable delivery.

Recommended products

Have more questions or ready to order?

Your Agvance Consultant can help you set up a loose lick plan that matches your system and the time of year. Get in touch today. Ready to order? Simply head to My Account, log in or register, and complete your order online.

Search