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Immune function in dairy cows

A cow’s immune system is under the greatest pressure in the weeks either side of calving. Good nutrition, consistent feeding and targeted mineral support give cows the best chance of withstanding infection, recovering quickly from calving and hitting production and fertility targets. 

Poor feeding practices are the common thread behind many immune problems: underfeeding, sudden diet shifts, low fibre, and missed mineral gaps all undermine defence mechanisms. 

This page is your quick guide to:

  • Timing and risk windows
  • Practical steps to take this week
  • What to monitor on-farm and on-paper
  • How different organic-approved delivery methods fit common systems
  • Answers to the most common questions 

 

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

Pre-calving (three to four weeks before calving)

  • Immune system priming and colostrum formation. Nutritional shortfalls or mineral imbalances here reduce colostrum quality and early immune defences for both cow and calf.

Calving to two weeks post-calving

  • Highest immune pressure. Physical trauma, exposure to environmental bacteria, negative energy balance and mineral shifts combine to raise the risk of mastitis, retained placenta, metritis and other infections.

Weeks 3 to 6 post-calving

What to do this week

  • Walk fresh mobs daily

Note appetite, vulval discharge, udder condition and behaviour. Early spotting of off-feed or dull cows is the cheapest intervention you will make.

  • Check colostrum planning and calf management

Ensure cows in the close-up group are getting a ration that supports colostrum quality, and that staff know calf colostrum targets and timing.

  • Confirm mineral delivery and intake

Decide on a delivery method that reliably reaches springers and fresh cows, then check who is actually eating it. Shy feeders and low-rank cows are the ones you must protect.

  • Stabilise intake and keep fibre up

Keep close-up and fresh cow rations steady. Avoid sudden big increases in concentrates and ensure adequate effective fibre to support rumen function and appetite.

  • Run targeted tests if you see patterns

Small ketone screens, SCC checks and blood or milk tests for trace minerals can help diagnose a herd-level weakness rather than treating individual cases only.

What to monitor

In the paddock and yard

  • Appetite and rumen fill, cows off feed or with poor rumen fill are at immediate risk.  
  • Udder condition and milk quality, look for clots, hot quarters or changes at first milking.  
  • Vulval discharge and retained foetal membranes in the first 24 to 72 hours.  
  • Cow behaviour and mobility- lethargy, reluctance to stand or separation from the mob signal problems.

 

On paper and records

  • Bulk tank and individual SCC trends for early mastitis pressure.  
  • Incidence of retained placenta, metritis and clinical mastitis in the first three weeks.  
  • Ketone prevalence from screening and any treatment records.  
  • Aggregate measures such as submission rate, first-service conception and early-lactation yield to show broader immune impact.

 

Read more about managing the rumen for better cow healtha nd productivity here. 

 

Matching products to your system

Your mineral delivery should be chosen to guarantee intake for the cows that need it most. Consider these options and match them to your farm routine.

In-shed or in-mix inclusion

Best for systems with regular shed or feedpad access. This method provides the most control over daily intake and makes it easier to include calcium precursors and trace minerals in close-up or fresh cow rations. Ensure palatability and correct mix rates.

  • Premium Milkers Premix – delivers a comprehensive mineral formulation rich in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus to support New Zealand’s dairy cows through the lactation period.

 

Water-soluble delivery

Useful when you have reliable water lines that fresh cows use consistently. Dosing must be accurate, and water consumption must be monitored. Works well as a short-term targeted boost for fresh mobs.

  • Solutrace Metaboliser Plus – Works to improve reproduction, milk production performance, and reproduction.
  • Solutrace DCM Plus with Rumenox – Rumen modifier that provides more energy to dairy cows. This energy response is equivalent to feeding an extra 0.5kg to 1.0kg of dry matter. Its mode of action is clearly understood and there is a wealth of research on this technology both internationally and in New Zealand pasture systems.

 

Read more about the importance of mineral bioavailability here. 

FAQs

Which minerals support immune response in dairy cows?

Selenium, copper, zinc and manganese are critical for immune cell function. Cobalt supports rumen microbes and energy metabolism. Calcium and magnesium are important around calving for muscle function and appetite. Balance and bioavailability matter more than raw inclusion rates.

More bioavailable forms are absorbed and used more effectively. Poor bioavailability can leave a cow deficient even if the ration looks adequate on paper. Work with your adviser to choose forms suited to your feeding system.

Track clinical cases such as mastitis, retained membranes and metritis, plus herd-level metrics like SCC, ketone prevalence and fertility outcomes. On-farm, watch feed intake, rumen fill and udder condition.

No. Minerals support the immune system but cannot replace steady intake, good energy balance, hygiene and prompt treatment. Treat minerals as part of an integrated plan that addresses feed, housing and mob management.

Call early if you see clustering of clinical cases, rising SCC, high ketone prevalence or unexplained drops in production or fertility. Early diagnostic testing is cheaper than delayed action.

Recommended products

Have more questions or ready to order?

Your Agvance Consultant can help you form the best plan of attack for your fodder beet mineral programme. Get in touch today. Ready to order? Simply head to My Account, login or register, and complete your order online.

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