Trouw Nutrition unveils a model to reduce risk of over-supplementing minerals and responsibly meet dairy cows’ requirements
A precision nutrition model is helping to prevent trace mineral overload in dairy diets
11 August 2025
3 minute read
By: A model developed by Trouw Nutrition research and development (R&D) is helping prevent trace mineral overload in the dairy cow diet. The precision nutrition model is inspired by study findings that suggest over-supplementing trace minerals is a widespread challenge threatening animal health, performance, environmental sustainability, and farm economics.
Over-supplementing trace minerals is a global and widespread concern
While it is important to ensure that an animal’s mineral requirements are met, studies indicate that over-supplementation is a more prevalent problem than underfeeding. Findings from studies involving 139 herds in California and eastern Canada reveal that the average and median copper (Cu) levels in the dairy diets were 70%–80% above the NASEM (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) recommendation of 10 ppm for a lactating cow producing 32 kg of milk.
Supplying trace minerals above a dairy cow’s tolerance level presents toxicity concerns. The upper limit to avoid Cu toxicity in dairy cows is 500 mg, but analysis of liver samples in a study conducted in Michigan, U.S., found that 44% of samples exceeded this limit, with 12% of samples exceeding 850 ppm DM. In the Netherlands, 10% of liver samples examined in a study exceeded 1,066 ppm Cu. Results from a UK study evaluating liver Cu concentrations in 501 cull cows indicated a significant risk of chronic copper toxicity among dairy cattle.
Elevated copper levels have been shown to negatively affect dairy cow reproduction, with a reduced conception rate and an increased number of services required per pregnancy. From a sustainability perspective, elevated concentrations of trace minerals in the diet have been associated with higher trace metal ion loads in manure and urine. Finally, oversupplying trace minerals contributes to higher feed costs.
Model supports responsible mineral supplementation
The primary cause of trace mineral over-supplementation on dairy farms is a failure to account for the trace minerals in the forages and byproducts included in the basal ration. A model developed by Trouw Nutrition R&D incorporates values from 5,000 diets representing different farms. Analysis of the 5,000 diets reveals that the basal ration supplies 50% of a dairy cow’s Cu requirement, 32% of the Zinc (Zn) requirement, and 68% of the Manganese (Mn) requirement.
Considering the basal diet contribution of trace minerals in context with maximum tolerance values can help producers and nutritionists avoid the toxicity, environmental, and economic consequences of over-supplementation. Additionally, feeding a more bioavailable trace mineral ensures that the producer’s investment is used by the animal, not stored in tissues or excreted into the environment.
The benefits of implementing a responsible supplementation program can pay off beyond the farm according to Gavin Boerboom, Global Category Director, Trace Minerals at Trouw Nutrition.
“Around the world, dairy producers are under pressure from regulatory bodies and consumers to produce more sustainably and prioritise animal welfare,” he notes. “Responsibly supplementing the proper level of trace minerals can ensure cows’ mineral needs are met while reducing mineral excretion in the environment and avoiding unnecessary feed costs.”
More information on responsible trace mineral supplementation is available here.
