VIRBAC LAUNCHES MULTIMIN CHROME:
A BREAKTHROUGH IN STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR CATTLE
- With the power of 5 essential trace minerals in combination – Virbac Australia introduces Multimin Chrome Injection for Cattle1, its most comprehensive formulation for young growing animals to date.
- The 5 essential trace minerals in Multimin Chrome, including chromium, work in combination to support the health and performance of young, growing animals by improving nutrient utilisation, and mitigating stress responses.
- Scientific studies showed that treated calves had up to a 60% reduction in disease incidence (2,3) and a 58% reduction in mortality rates (3)
A new standard has been set for strategic trace mineral supplementation in cattle with the release of a new injectable trace mineral product from leading animal health company, Virbac Australia.
With scientific trials showing up to 60 per cent reduction in disease incidence (2,3) and a 58 per cent reduction in mortality rates in calves (3), Multimin Chrome is an innovative formulation that includes five essential trace minerals; copper, selenium, zinc, manganese and chromium designed to support cattle health and performance during critical periods of their productive life.
Multimin Chrome offers a science-backed formulation ideal for young, growing animals when the pressure to perform is at its highest, helping cattle producers to mitigate stress and enhance nutrient utilisation in their herd.
What is Chromium?
Chromium is an essential trace mineral for livestock (4-6) naturally found in pastures, feedstuff and in the diets of cattle and sheep. However, chromium concentrations in common feed vary greatly (7). Research shows that chromium supplementation enhances resilience, maximises nutrient utilisation, mitigates stress responses, reduces oxidative stress, improves immune function, boosts muscle-to-fat ratios, milk yield and reproductive outcomes (8-15). Highlighting chromium's role in improving livestock performance, especially during stressful and high-demand periods such as weaning.
“Weaning is one of the most stressful periods in the life of young cattle. Strategic trace mineral supplementation with Multimin Chrome boosts the levels of five essential trace minerals helping young cattle maintain their health and performance, reducing disease incidences and mortality rates”, says Dr. Paula Gonzalez-Rivas, Technical Services Manager for Livestock at global animal health company, Virbac Australia. “The inclusion of chromium to the trusted Multimin formulation can offer an extra edge to the known effects of Multimin, chromium supplementation can alleviate the adverse effects of stress and improve nutrient utilisation helping to ensure resilient, healthy, productive, and profitable herds, even when stress and metabolic demands are at the highest”.
Whole-of-farm nutrition expert and Pro Ag consultant, Dr Colin Trengove says “when it comes to trace mineral supplementation it is important to think of the whole herd’s health.”
Dr Trengove said “research has shown chromium improves carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, as well as regulates immune responses, and the secretion of hormones and some vitamins in the body. It improves reproduction, enhances growth, increases feed conversion efficiency, boosts immunity, reduces heat stress and decreases mortality,”.
Multimin Chrome is an exciting innovation that can contribute to better performance outcomes for producers across Australia. Multimin Chrome is now available at leading rural retailers.
Key Features of Multimin Chrome
- Multimin Chrome contains five essential trace minerals necessary for cattle operations seeking improved performance in growing animals by mitigating stress and improving nutrient utilisation, helping cattle reach peak performance.
- Multimin Chrome provides faster and targeted delivery of a specific amount of five trace minerals to individual animals that bypass antagonism in the rumen and support high demands16-18.
- Multimin Chrome has the added benefits of chromium: chromium enhances insulin sensitivity, allowing glucose to be better utilised by cells, improving lipid metabolism, promoting protein synthesis and supporting immune function. 8-15 Chromium also reduces cortisol levels 8,10,12,13, the primary stress hormone in animals. By lowering cortisol, chromium can help maintain a stronger immune system. These effects contribute to improving the overall health and productivity of cattle.
- Multimin Chrome underscores Virbac Australia’s R&D efforts and dedication to supporting producers with science-backed solutions that address the evolving challenges of modern livestock management.
References
1.Refer to registered label APVMA n 90447
2.Ashar J., et al. (2024) Effect of injectable trace mineral supplementation on dairy calf health and antioxidant status. Abstract presented at the AAAP & AAAS Congress Melbourne 9-12 July, 2024. (University of Melbourne 2024, data on file).
3.Bates, A, et al (2019) Reduction in morbidity and mortality of dairy calves from an injectable trace mineral supplement, Vet Rec. 184(22):680*
4.NASEM (2016). Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
5.NASEM (2021). Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle: Eighth Revised Edition. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
6.Suttle N.F. (2022) Mineral Nutrition of Livestock. Fifth Edition, CABI, Cambridge.
7.Spears J. W. et al. (2017). Chromium concentrations in ruminant feed ingredients. J.Dairy Sci., 100(5), 3584-3590.
8.Mowat D. N. (1997). Supplemental organic chromium for beef and dairy cattle. Proceeding in Ruminant Nutrition. Guelph: University of Guelph, 1-21
9.Lashkari S. et al. (2018) A Review on the Role of Chromium Supplementation in Ruminant Nutrition—Effects on Productive Performance, Blood Metabolites, Antioxidant Status, and Immunocompetence. Biol Trace Elem Res 186, 305–321.
10.Amata I. (2013). Chromium in Livestock Nutrition: A Review. Global Advanced Research J. Ag. Sci., Vol. 2(12) 289-306.
11.Spears J. W. (2010). Chromium supplementation in cattle diets. Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium; Gainesville, FL, USA, 143-55.
12.Perchova A. & Pavlata L. (2007). Chromium As An Essential Nutrient: a Review. Vet Med, 52, 1:1-18.
13.Burton J. L. (1995). Supplemental chromium: its benefits to the bovine immune system. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 53(2), 117-133.
14.Qiao K. et al. (2024). The Complex Interplay of Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Inflammation in Transition Dairy Cows. Animals, 14(6), 832.
15.Spears J. W. et al. (2012). Chromium propionate enhances insulin sensitivity in growing cattle. J. Dairy Sci., 95(4), 2037-2045.
16.Palomares, R. A. (2022). Trace minerals supplementation with great impact on beef cattle immunity and health. Animals, 12(20), 2839.
17.Arthington J.D. & Ranches J. (2021) Trace Mineral Nutrition of Grazing Beef Cattle. Animals. 2021; 11(10):2767.
18.Virbac (2020) Trial protocol 616/20*
The benefits outlined in the above scientific studies may not necessarily be registered label claims. Some of these benefits were observed in cattle meeting or exceeding NRC trace mineral requirements provided by oral supplementation. *The Multimin® formulation used in this study may differ from the formulations registered and / or commercialised by Virbac in Australia. Multimin® is a registered trademark of Virbac