Supplementation at the right time: Supporting livestock performance with Tulivin/Univet’s Growvite range
Modern livestock production depends on far more than quality grass and good genetics. Animals face nutritional demands throughout the year, from breeding and pregnancy to growth, weaning and recovery from disease or environmental stress.
Ensuring that essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements are available at these key stages can help animals achieve their full potential and support overall herd and flock performance.
The Growvite nutritional range from Tulivin/Univet has been developed to provide targeted supplementation for cattle and sheep when additional nutritional support is required.
For dairy and suckler herds, Growvite Forte is formulated to provide a balanced blend of chelated minerals, vitamins and trace elements that support fertility and productivity. It is designed for strategic use before and after calving, around breeding, and during housing periods when demands are greatest. Field trials have shown improvements in first-service conception rates, along with reductions in retained placentas and barren cows when Growvite Forte was incorporated into herd management programmes. As with any nutritional supplement, results depend on overall herd health, nutrition and management.
For sheep producers, Growvite Sheep offers targeted nutritional support for breeding ewes and growing lambs. Growvite Sheep provides chelated minerals, vitamins and trace elements including zinc, selenium, iodine and cobalt. Administration is recommended before mating and again before lambing to help meet the increased nutritional requirements of breeding ewes. Trials carried out in the University of Wales have shown improvements in lamb survival, ewe body condition and fertility performance when used as part of a well-managed flock nutrition programme.
Vitamin B12 and cobalt play a particularly important role in ruminant nutrition. Cobalt is required by rumen microorganisms to synthesise vitamin B12, which is essential for energy metabolism, growth and appetite. Deficiencies can result in poor thrive, reduced weight gain, lethargy and lower productivity, particularly on cobalt-deficient soils. Young lambs are especially vulnerable during periods of rapid growth.
Growvite Cobalt Drench and Growvite Vitamin B12 + Cobalt Drench (which also includes iodine and selenium) products provide readily available supplementation during periods of increased nutritional demand or where deficiencies are identified. By supporting normal metabolism and energy production, the product aims to promote healthy growth and improve overall animal performance as part of a balanced nutritional programme.
Targeted supplementation is most effective when it complements good grazing management, balanced feeding and regular veterinary advice. Soil type, forage quality and seasonal conditions can all influence mineral availability, making strategic supplementation an important consideration for many farms.
With products tailored to different stages of production, the Growvite range gives farmers practical options for supporting fertility, growth and animal wellbeing. Whether preparing cows for breeding, supporting ewes through pregnancy or helping young stock achieve optimal growth, products such as Growvite Forte, Growvite Sheep and the Vitamin B12 + Cobalt Drench provide nutritional support that can contribute to healthier, more productive livestock when used according to label directions and as part of an overall herd or flock health plan.
The Growvite range of products has been used by farmers for over 30 years and is available through Animal Health outlets. Further information is available from https://growvite.com/ or www.univet.ie or contact Northern Ireland Sales Manager John Gribbin 07966 2467.