Vitamin D: Optimizing Levels for Cattle Health and Performance

Vitamin D plays an essential role in animal health. Commonly known as the “sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D3 can be produced in the skin when exposed to UVB light from the sun. However, the rate of production of D3 via sun exposure varies between species, skin color, geographical region, and time of year. It is important to understand the vitamin D needs of beef cattle, as well as its specific forms and functions, because sunshine alone may not provide enough D3 for optimal health and performance.

Understanding How Vitamin D Can Support the Health and Well-Being of Animals

Adequate levels of vitamin D are critical to support animal and human health. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays an important role in the physiological regulation of Ca/P and bone growth, and there’s increasing recognition for its importance in immunity. Currently, serum 25-OH D3 is the most widely accepted biomarker to measure levels of vitamin D in humans and animals due to its high blood concentration and long half-life. While vitamin D3 (present in some animal-based ingredients) and vitamin D2 (present in some plants) can be dietary sources to supplement the variable synthesis of vitamin D3 from sunlight and UVB exposure to skin, 25-OH D3 (Hy-D®) is a highly researched and commonly used dietary source to ensure optimum levels of vitamin D in food animals.

Is Supplemental Vitamin A & E Enough?

Vitamins are essential nutrients required in small amounts that are required for normal development and functioning of the body. Vitamins are provided to the animal in two different ways, 1) synthesized by microorganisms in the digestive tract of animals; and 2) provided in the diet through feed ingredients and supplementation when feeds are lacking in vitamin nutritive value. In order for an animal to reach optimal health and performance, we must first understand the nutritional requirements of the animal depending on their age and stage of production. Then, we need to evaluate their diet and supplemental program to identify if the appropriate vitamins are being supplemented and at what levels.