Stud Developer - Optimise Genetic Potential - SlingShot - Intelligent Sheep & Beef Cattle Nutrition

SlingShot. The high performance supplementary feed to help optimise bull performance.

Supplementary feeding with SlingShot Stud Developer allows you to take control of a bull’s nutrition so that they are at their peak at joining. Nutritional balanced to provide the right amount of energy and protein to meet the exacting needs of breeding bulls, plus added Omega 3 and Zinc to enhance reproductive performance. SlingShot Stud Developer pellets are an effective solution to help ensure a bull’s genetic potential is achieved.

Strategic supplementary feeding with SlingShot Stud Developer pellets offers breeders the opportunity to optimise their bulls’ performance.

SlingShot Stud Developer is a high performance pellet that is formulated so your bulls can reach their genetic potential.

Bulls, especially young bulls, have one of the largest energy and protein requirements of all cattle stock classes. However, it is important that they are neither underfed nor overfed.

Underfed bulls will take longer to reach puberty, the quality and quantity of sperm will be reduced, and energy levels at joining will be lower. Being overfed can also reduce fertility, and predisposes the bull to breakdowns at joining due to stress on feet, legs and spine.

SlingShot Stud Developer is nutritionally balanced, so that when used strategically, ensures that your bulls develop at a constant rate.

SlingShot Stud Developer contains two proven reproductive performance enhancers. Fish Oil (Omega 3) helps improve the quality and motility (ability to move) of sperm, as well as helping reduce the amount of abnormal sperm. Zinc is pivotal in the production, storage and secretion of male hormones (testosterone) that influence puberty, sex drive and function of reproductive organs, including sperm production.

Importantly, SlingShot Stud Developer also contains Biotin and Zinc to strengthen the hoof to reduce the chances of lameness during the wet winter joining.

The essential nutrition provided SlingShot Stud Developer will help ensure growing bulls reach the potential and perform to the highest capacity, which in turn results in greater profitibility.

Key Features

A supplementary feed for pasture fed bulls to help optimise body condition and fertility.
Nutritionally balanced with 15% protein and 12.5%MJ/KG metabolisable energy (Dry Matter#).
Contains:
- a combination of buffers to minimise risk of acidosis.
- appropriate levels of calcium and phosphorous to support growth and development.
- a balanced blend of vitamins and minerals including, A, D and E for animal health.
- Rumensin® for improved feed conversion and weight gain.
- Biotin to promote good hoof health.
- Organic Zinc to promote testicular health and promote sperm production.
- Omega-3 to nurture sperm health and add shine to the coat.
Steam pelleted to minimise wastage, separation and better for bioavailability of ingredients.

Body Condition Score Guidelines:

The ideal condition for a bull prior to mating is condition score 3 (out of 5). This is optimum for sperm production. Bulls in poor condition must be fed well before mating, and should be in good condition at least two months prior to mating. Semen is produced several weeks before it is used, so last minute feeding to improve body condition may be too late.

Over-fat bulls (score 4 or 5) should be let down gradually, well before joining.

Sources: DPI Victoria – Managing of Bulls at Mating, Future Beef –Annual Bull Management Checklist

Economic importance of a bull performing at its potential.

A bull influences overall herd fertility more than any other single animal. Any drop in fertility can have a substantial effect on the percentages of calves weaned which is the single most important factor influencing profitability in beef operations. More calves, more profit.

For example, assume a bull’s potential is 30 weaned calves per year. If a bull’s performance/ fertility is down by 10 % that will mean 27 weaned cows a year. The opportunity cost of the loss of those three calves if they were sold as yearlings at 250kg @ $2.00/kg = $1500.