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Specialty Ingredients
by Kim Boccardi
MARKETING AND PROMOTION UPDATE:
Thermal Care™ season is heating up and so are the Thermal Care promotion activities!! If you are reading this, please contact Kim Boccardi for a new Thermal Care wall thermometer.
>> Close to 3000 of the NEW Thermal Care (R & 4S) postcards have been sent out! Have you taken advantage of these yet? Are your dealers? These are available through Business Services at 217-231-2237 or Business Services.
Thermal Care R & TC4S Postcard e-file 03-13
The TCR posters, both hard POP for sign holders and roll-able versions for pinning up are also available from Business Services.
Thermal Care R POP Poster (contact us to order) -- FREE OF CHARGE to dealers!
>> The Customer Gift Incentive for 2013 - For every new Thermal Care account that orders at least 10 bags, the rep and dealer/customer will receive a white, short sleeve Thermal Care performance polo shirt. These were very popular last year and now have a new digital transfer logo imprint.
>> There are several NEW Customer Testimonials available on the Specialty Ingredients Portal page:
Thermal Care 4S (farrowing sows) Testimonial 03-13 (Iowa, the first one with the new formulation!)
Thermal Care R (dairy) testimonial 04-13 (Missouri)
Thermal Care R (sheep) Testimonial 09-12 (Ohio, new last fall)
It's time for Thermal Care™!
Thermal Care is a blend of unique nutritional ingredients that target key physiological systems which are affected by heat stress including thermal regulation, gut function, and immunity. ADM research has aggressively pursued natural, nutritional solutions to avoid the performance slump caused by summer heat stress. Benefits of this technology include better heat dissipation, enhanced gut health and immune function.
In the last ten years there have been several heat events in the United States; direct and indirect financial losses for these events are estimated at over $75 million+ for the cattle industry in the Midwest alone. These weather events are unavoidable but management strategies can reduce the impact of heat waves.
But when does heat stress start? Humidity is the key!
This chart, developed by the University of Arizona, helps you to quickly determine the level of heat stress in cows. As you can see, the level of stress is a function of both relative humidity and temperature. For example, cows become severely stressed when the temperature reaches 90 degrees and 90% relative humidity. Cows can be in mild stress even when the temperature is as low as 70 degrees and can become stressed even before it feels uncomfortable for you.
In cool weather below 40 degrees a cow needs up to 50% more maintenance energy to keep warm. Between 40 degrees and 70 degrees cows are in their "comfort zone." At temperature above 70 degrees cows need up to 30% more maintenance energy for panting to stay cool. Take the stress out of heat stress and recommend Thermal Care to your dealers and customers.
What can you expect from Thermal Care?
Research results and field experience generally suggests the following responses...
Dairy Cattle (with moderate to high heat stress)
- Feed intake increase of 1-3 lb/hd/day
- Better milk production response of 2-5 lb/hd/day
- Cows should recover body condition more rapidly
- Somatic cells may decline slightly with no other changes in milk components
Beef Cattle (with high heat stress)
- Cattle may spend more time at the bunk
- Noticeably fewer cattle appearing highly stressed
- Possibly slightly better gain and feed efficiency
For best results, start feeding Thermal Care before heat stress occurs.
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