Cattle can get very sick if they do not have enough vitamins A, D, and E. These nutrients help with eyesight, growth, fighting sickness, and having babies. If cattle do not get enough vitamin A, they may have trouble having calves and may have eye issues. This happens more if their food is not good. Vitamin E helps cattle stay healthy and have babies. If cattle do not get enough vitamin D, they cannot balance calcium and phosphorus. This can hurt their bones and make them less healthy. If owners do not fix these problems, their cattle may get sick and they may lose money.
Key Takeaways
Vitamins A, D, and E are very important for cattle health. They help cattle grow, see well, fight sickness, and have babies.
If cattle do not get enough, they can have big problems. They may not see well, have weak bones, get sick, or not have many calves. Calves and pregnant cows are at higher risk.
Winter, drought, and bad feed make vitamin shortages worse. These things lower green plants and sunlight for cattle.
Farmers should look for weak calves, rough hair, slow growth, and vision problems. These signs help farmers find vitamin shortages early.
Farmers should test feed often and give the right supplements. They should also change diets for the season and what cattle need. This keeps cattle healthy and helps them grow well.
Vitamin A in Cattle
Functions of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is very important for cattle. It helps bones grow and keeps vision good. This vitamin also helps soft tissues grow. It keeps skin and mucous membranes healthy. These protect the body from getting sick. Vitamin A helps kidneys work well. It also helps the immune system fight diseases. In cattle, vitamin A is needed for having babies. Both male and female cattle need it to have healthy calves. The vitamin helps young animals grow strong. It makes sure they start life healthy.
Vitamin A and its active forms help cells grow. They are needed for the eyes, especially for seeing in the dark. The vitamin keeps the cornea and conjunctiva healthy. These are parts of the eye that help with clear vision. Vitamin A helps the immune system by keeping the lining of the nose and mouth strong. This lining stops germs from getting in. In young animals, vitamin A helps their bodies and bones grow right.
Note: Beta-carotene is in green plants. It gives cattle vitamin A. The body changes beta-carotene into vitamin A. This helps with reproduction and helps young animals grow.
Vitamin A Deficiency Effects
If cattle do not get enough vitamin A, many problems can happen. They can lose their vision, especially at night. Cattle may not see well in the dark or may go blind. Their immune system gets weaker. This makes it hard to fight sickness. More cattle in the herd may get sick.
Vitamin A deficiency can hurt reproduction. Cows may not get pregnant. There may be more abortions or dead calves at birth. Calves born to cows without enough vitamin A may get sick more often. Their immune system is weak. Skin and mucous membranes can break down. This lets bacteria get in the body. It can cause diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia, especially in calves.
Deficiency can make joints swell and cause diarrhea.
In bad cases, a white film can cover the eyes. This is called xerophthalmia.
Vitamin A deficiency is worse in winter or drought. Green feed is hard to find then. Without enough vitamin A, young animals may not grow right. Their bones may not form as they should.
Signs of Vitamin A Deficiency
Cattle owners should look for signs of vitamin A deficiency. These signs can show up in both adults and calves. It is best to find the problem early. Sometimes, signs only show after damage is done.
Cattle may not see well at night or in dim light.
Their hair may look rough and skin may be poor.
Calves can be weak and move poorly.
Cattle may eat less and grow slowly.
Diarrhea and more sickness, like pneumonia, can happen.
Cows may not get pregnant or may lose calves.
Calves may be weak at birth or get sick easily.
Owners may see a white film over the eyes in bad cases. This means the problem has been there a long time.
It can be hard to find vitamin A deficiency early. Some eye changes need special tools to see. Most owners look for signs they can see. Giving vitamin A shots can help fix the problem. This is important for calves born to cows with low vitamin A.
Vitamin D in Cattle
Role in Growth and Bones
Vitamin D helps cattle take in calcium from food. This keeps bones strong. It also helps cattle grow well. Without enough vitamin D, cattle cannot use calcium right. They also cannot use phosphorus well. These minerals help build bones. They also keep bones healthy. Vitamin D moves calcium from bones to blood when needed. This is important for cows that make a lot of milk. When cattle get enough vitamin D, their bones grow strong. Their bones stay healthy. Vitamin D helps the immune system too. It helps the body fight sickness. It makes immune cells work better. Calves need vitamin D for strong bones. They need it for good growth, especially when young.
Tip: Sunlight helps cattle make vitamin D in skin. Cattle kept inside or in winter may need more vitamin D in feed.
Vitamin D Deficiency Risks
Cattle without enough vitamin D can get sick. One big risk is milk fever. This happens around calving time. Milk fever starts when cows need lots of calcium for milk. Older cows and Jersey cows have higher risk. Low vitamin D means the body cannot take in enough calcium. This causes low blood calcium. Cows can get weak or not stand up. Other problems from low vitamin D are retained placenta and uterine infections. Ketosis, mastitis, and fatty liver syndrome can also happen. These problems lower milk production. They hurt reproduction too. Managing diet before and after calving helps stop these problems. Farmers should check mineral levels in feed. They should group cows by age and body shape.
Vitamin D deficiency hurts bone health in beef and dairy cattle. Calves born with low vitamin D have weak bones. They grow slowly. They get sick more often. Their immune system does not work well. Some calves need more vitamin D than normal. They may need higher doses or more feeding. Good vitamin D levels lower disease. They may also lower the need for antibiotics.
Deficiency Symptoms
Farmers should look for signs of vitamin D deficiency. Early finding helps stop big problems. Common signs are:
Irritability
Convulsions
Less appetite
Digestive problems
Hard breathing
Weakness
Cattle with low vitamin D may not grow well. Their bones may be weak. Calves may have trouble standing or walking. Some get sick more or heal slowly. In bad cases, cows cannot stand after calving. Quick calcium treatment can help. Prevention is best. Checking feed and giving enough vitamin D keeps cattle healthy.
Vitamin E for Cattle
Antioxidant and Immune Support
Vitamin E is also called tocopherol. It is a fat-soluble vitamin. It protects cells from getting damaged. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant in cattle. It works with selenium to stop free radicals from hurting cell membranes. Immune cells in cattle have a lot of vitamin E. These cells need vitamin E to stay strong and fight sickness. Vitamin E helps fix DNA and keeps cell membranes healthy. When cattle get enough vitamin E, their immune system works better. They can fight infections and stress more easily. Giving extra vitamin E can help make more antibodies. It also helps cattle get better after being sick. This vitamin supports nerve control and muscle movement. It helps the heartbeat and rumen work well. Young animals need vitamin E to grow. It keeps their muscles and nerves working right.
Tip: Vitamin E is very important for young animals during stress. This includes weaning or eating stored feed with low vitamin E.
Effects of Deficiency
Not enough vitamin E can cause big problems in cattle. Young animals are at higher risk. Deficiency makes sickness more likely and slows growth. Stressed calves get sick more if they lack vitamin E. They often get respiratory diseases and diarrhea. Studies show giving vitamin E lowers sick calves. It also means fewer days in the sick pen. The chart below shows how vitamin E helps lower sickness in calves:
Vitamin E deficiency can cause white muscle disease. This hurts muscles and makes moving painful. Adult cattle may get more mastitis, retained placenta, and fertility problems. Herds with low vitamin E have less productivity and more health issues.
Deficiency Indicators
Farmers should look for signs of vitamin E deficiency. Both young and adult cattle can show signs. In young animals, watch for stiffness, weakness, and not wanting to move. Some calves may die suddenly if the deficiency is bad. Swollen, hard muscles and breathing problems can happen too. If young animals do not get enough vitamin E for a long time, they grow slowly and get sick more. Adult cattle may have trouble calving or keep the placenta. They may get mastitis more often. Infertility and cystic ovaries can also be signs. Subclinical deficiency is harder to see, but blood tests can help. Checking diets and giving vitamin E supplements helps stop these problems and keeps cattle healthy.
Deficiency Risks in 2025
Feed and Nutrition Changes
Feed quality and how much is available will affect cattle in 2025. In winter and drought, plants stop growing and lose beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is needed for vitamin A. Stored feed loses vitamins as time passes. This makes vitamin A and E harder to get. Changing feed too fast can upset digestion and cause missing nutrients. Vitamin supplements and mineral mixes help when there is not enough green grass. Some pelleted feeds were recalled, so feed safety is still a worry. New feed types try to help the planet, but problems like tariffs and supply issues can make it hard to get what cattle need. Farmers must test feed and watch how much cattle eat. This helps keep cattle healthy and stops vitamin problems.
Winter makes cattle need more energy and lowers vitamins in feed.
Vitamin A deficiency happens a lot in cold months.
Less sunlight can cause vitamin D deficiency.
Stored feed in winter often has low vitamin E.
Giving the right supplements and testing feed is very important.
Climate and Environment
Weather and the environment will keep changing feed and vitamin levels. Long droughts and dry pastures lower beta-carotene and vitamin E in feed. The color of plants can show how much beta-carotene is in them. Green plants have more, but brown or yellow plants have less. Temperature and rain change how many nutrients are in feed. The table below shows how weather can change vitamins in feed:
Environmental Stressor | Impact on Feed Quality | Vitamin Deficiency Risk |
|---|---|---|
Prolonged drought | Low beta-carotene | Vitamin A, E |
Mature, dry pastures | Depleted nutrients | Vitamin A, E |
Limited sunlight | Reduced vitamin D | Vitamin D |
Farmers need to watch for these problems. They should change feed and give more vitamins to keep cattle healthy.
Management Factors
How farmers care for cattle affects their nutrition. Drought makes grazing time shorter and lowers feed quality. This means cattle store fewer vitamins. Old hay loses vitamins, and high nitrates in feed can trap nutrients. This makes vitamins harder to use. Not enough protein or energy also makes it tough for cattle to use vitamins. Giving vitamins at the right time is most important when cows are pregnant or making milk. When there is no green grass, this matters even more. Some farms let cattle eat minerals when they want, but this may not be enough. Big herds and new feeding ways make it harder to control how much cattle get. Farmers should test feed, store vitamins right, and change nutrition as needed. If cows have trouble having calves or get sick more, it could mean they need more vitamins.
Tip: Testing feed often and giving the right vitamins helps cattle stay healthy, even when things change.
Prevention and Supplementation
Preventing Deficiencies
Cattle owners can stop vitamin A, D, and E problems by doing some key things. They should feed cattle green and yellow plants with carotene. Adding vitamin A premixes to protein or mixed feeds helps keep cattle healthy. Storing vitamin A with salt in a dry spot keeps it strong. Giving vitamin A shots helps the liver, especially for new cattle or herds with past problems. Owners should change supplements based on cattle type, age, and weather.
Cattle need sunlight to make vitamin D3 in their skin. If sunlight is low, owners should give vitamin D supplements, especially to young cattle. Sun-dried plants also give vitamin D. To stop vitamin E problems, owners should add vitamin E to high-grain feeds and think about shots for new cattle. Green leafy plants and whole grains are good sources of vitamin E.
Tip: Owners should watch for signs like trouble seeing at night or weak bones. They should make diets that give all needed nutrients.
Supplementation Methods
Owners use different ways to give cattle enough vitamins. Free-choice mineral mixes give important vitamins and minerals. Salt controls how much cattle eat, so owners change salt levels to manage intake. Putting enough mineral feeders in the field helps all cattle get minerals. Testing plants helps owners know what vitamins and minerals are in the feed. Special mineral mixes can be made for each herd after testing. Owners should keep mineral mixes safe from rain and sun.
Cattle need extra vitamins when eating stored or brown plants. Owners may need to add minerals like copper, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, and calcium, depending on plant quality. Giving just enough vitamins and minerals saves money and keeps cattle healthy.
Monitoring Intake
Checking often helps owners keep cattle strong and growing. They should watch how much cattle eat and check mineral use often. Signs like less milk or smaller calves may mean cattle need more vitamins. Owners should give better plants when fields are poor. Changing supplements with the seasons helps keep cattle healthy and able to have calves.
Owners should test plants to know what nutrients are inside. Working with a nutrition expert helps make good feeding plans for each group. Owners should watch how much cattle eat and check body condition to make sure cows get enough nutrients. Changing feed plans when ingredient quality or price changes helps save money and keeps cattle healthy.
Cattle need the right vitamins to stay strong and productive. Deficiencies in vitamin A, D, and E can lead to poor health, weak calves, and lower profits for farms. Farmers should check nutrition often and act early to prevent problems. Good feeding plans and regular supplements help herds grow and stay healthy. Taking these steps in 2025 will support herd success.
FAQ
What causes vitamin A, D, and E deficiencies in cattle?
Cattle can miss these vitamins if they eat bad feed. Eating old hay or not enough green plants can cause problems. Not getting much sunlight can also lower vitamin D.
How can farmers spot vitamin deficiencies early?
Farmers should look for weak calves, rough hair, or slow growth. Calves may have trouble walking. Finding these signs early can stop worse health issues.
Can supplements fix vitamin deficiencies quickly?
Supplements help cattle get better. Shots or special feeds with vitamins work well. Farmers should ask a vet about the right amount and how to give it.
Do all cattle need the same amount of vitamins?
No, not every cow needs the same vitamins. Young calves, pregnant cows, and cows making lots of milk need more. Farmers should change feed plans for each group.
