Chromium for Dairy
KemTRACE® Chromium — the first product of its kind on the market — is water soluble, highly bioavailable, organic source of chromium that helps improve glucose utilization and reduce the negative impacts of stress for increased cellular energy and function. This results in better dairy cattle maintenance, reproduction, growth and immunity. KemTRACE Chromium has been fed to millions of animals around the globe since its introduction in 2000. It is registered in more than 35 countries worldwide and is the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-reviewed form of chromium propionate.
KemTRACE® Chromium-OR — an OMRI Listed®, organic-compliant form of chromium propionate — is also available in the U.S. for use in organic dairy cattle diets.
Insulin is the Key
Insulin plays a key role in optimum cell function by acting as a "key" in the lock to the door that allows glucose into the cell. Once insulin has "unlocked the door," blood glucose can enter the cell and be used as an energy source. Chromium improves insulin function and results in efficient clearance of glucose from the bloodstream.1
Immune Function
Upon activation, immune cells become obligate glucose utilizers.3 Increased glucose uptake may help animals mount an immune response even under a severe immune challenge–such as heat stress.
Heat Stress
Research studies, designed to test the effect of chromium on milk yield under heat stress conditions, have shown cows supplemented with chromium have increased dry matter intake and yield more milk than control cows.4
Cows with More Energy:
Chromium supplementation has been shown to improve energy utilization and reduce the impact of negative energy balance in early lactation.2
KEY BENEFITS:
- Reduce negative energy balance
- Improve immune function
- Improve reproduction efficiency
- Increase milk yield
- Increase feed efficiency
- Withstand effects of heat stress
Reproduction
Chromium supplementation has been shown to reduce insulin resistance in dairy cows in early lactation.2 Studies with chromium have also shown its ability to reduce subclinical metritis,5 improve conception rates and pregnancy rates,6 reduce days to first service, and increase the number of viable oocytes in cows supplemented with high-energy diets.7
Feed Efficiency
Chromium has been shown to alter insulin action and either increase dry matter intake or minimize a drop of feed intake among animals subject to stress.8,9,10
Summary
The dietary trace element, chromium, is necessary to optimize the activation of the insulin receptor so more glucose can get into the cell. Adding supplemental KemTRACE® Chromium or KemTRACE® Chromium-OR to the diet provides the additional chromium for insulin receptor activation. Chromium enhances this reaction, causing glucose transporter activation, allowing additional glucose to enter the cell. The additional glucose will allow for more energy to be available for proper cell function.
- Chromium is a trace mineral required by cattle, in microgram or milligram amounts per day, for optimal nutrition and performance
- Chromium propionate is a highly bioavailable, organic source of chromium that optimizes how animals process glucose
- Optimized glucose utilization can result in better animal
- Maintenance
- Production
- Reproduction
- Growth
- Immunity
- KemTRACE Chromium and KemTRACE Chromium-OR are supported by more than 20 years of Kemin research and are the only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-reviewed forms of chromium propionate
- Efficient and easy to incorporate with premixes and other feed ingredients
- Made in the U.S.A. and available in two product concentrations:
- 0.04% - for use in complete diets
- 0.4% - for use in a premix prior to inclusion in complete diets
Product Specifications
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KemTRACE® Chromium 0.4% Spec Sheet
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KemTRACE® Chromium 0.04% Spec Sheet
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KemTRACE® Chromium-OR 0.4% Spec Sheet
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KemTRACE® Chromium-OR 0.04% Spec Sheet
Chromium for Dairy Literature
KemTRACE® Chromium for Dairy Cattle
KemTRACE® Chromium is a highly bioavailable, organic source of chromium that helps improve glucose utilization for increased cellular energy and function. This results in better animal maintenance, reproduction, growth and immunity.
Chromium supplementation has also been shown to improve energy utilization and reduce the impact of negative energy balance in early lactation.
KemTRACE® Chromium Mode of Action
Insulin plays a key role in optimum cell function by acting as a “key” in the lock to the door that allows glucose into the cell. Chromium supplementation primarily acts to improve insulin sensitivity so more glucose can enter the cell. The additional glucose allows more energy to be available for proper cell function.
KemTRACE® Chromium: Essential for Your Dairy
The dietary trace element, chromium, is necessary to optimize the activation of the insulin receptor so more glucose can get into the cell. Adding supplemental KemTRACE® Chromium to the diet provides the additional chromium for insulin receptor activation.
Chromium and Dairy Reproduction Literature
Evaluation of Chromium Propionate on Reproductive Performance of Holstein Cows
A field trial was conducted on an 800-cow Holstein dairy in southeastern Pennsylvania to evaluate the effect of chromium propionate on reproductive performance. An increase in pregnancy rate was observed that was driven by an increase in conception rates.
How Chromium Can Impact Reproduction
Worldwide, the poor reproductive performance of dairy herds has become a major concern, especially in Holstein herds. Decline in conception rate and increase in calving interval over the last decades have been confirmed by several studies. Infertility is the number one reason for culling dairy cows in the U.S., and it is estimated to cost the U.S. dairy industry half-a-billion dollars annually. Learn how chromium can impact performance and ultimately provide a positive return on investment.
Chromium in the News
Progressive Dairyman: Minimizing the Negative Effects of Stress on Herd Health and Productivity
Understanding the relationship between stress, immunity and reproductive herd health is paramount to discovering nutritional management best practices for your dairy herd. Chromium supplementation primarily acts to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the release of stress hormones, both of which enhance reproductive health.
Progressive Dairyman: An Update on Chromium
Ohio State researchers list the following nine trace minerals as being needed by dairy cattle: chromium, cobalt, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc. Chromium plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism by stabilizing insulin receptors that allow glucose to enter the cell.
Dairy Business: Chromium Supplementation in Dairy Cattle Diets
Learn about how the addition of chromium can enhance milk production, fertility, immunity and the producer's bottom line.
Feedstuffs: Can Chromium Help with Insulin Sensitivity?
Supplemental chromium increases the sensitivity of body tissues, enhancing glucose uptake. It reduces mobilization of fat, lowering blood NEFA levels.
Progressive Dairyman: Get to know about Supplementing Chromium: Metabolic Effects and Potential Benefits
Supplementation of dairy cattle diets with chromium propionate has considerable potential to improve glucose and NEFA metabolism, dry matter intake and milk yield, particularly in transition cows. Improvements in glucose and NEFA metabolism also have implications for better reproduction and reduced health incidences.
References
1Mertz, W. 1992. Chromium: History and nutritional importance. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 32:3-8.
2Hayirli et al., 2001. J. Dairy Sci. 84:1218-1230.
3Palsson-McDermott, E. M., and L. A. O'Neill. 2013. BioEssays. 35:965-973.
4Kemin Internal Document, 15-00066.
5Yasui, T., et al., 2014. J. Dairy Sci. 97:1-11.
6Ferguson et al., 2013. J. Dairy Sci. 96(E-Supplement):127.
7Leiva, T., R. F. Cooke, A. P. Brandão, A. C. Aboin, J. Ranches, and J. L. M. Vasconcelos. 2015. Livest. Sci. 180:121-128.
8Y. Al-Saiady, M. & Alishaikh, Mohammed & Al-Mufarrej, Saud & A. Al-Showeimi, T. & Mogawer, Hassan Hosny & Dirrar, A. (2004). Animal Feed Science and Technology - ANIM FEED SCI TECH. 117:223-233. 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2004.07.008.
9An-Qiang, L., W. Zhi-Sheng, and Z. An-Gup. 2009. Pak. J. Nutr. 8:940-945.
10Vargas-Rodriguez, C. F., K. Yuan, E. C. Titgemeyer, L. K. Mamedova, K. E. Griswold, and B. J. Bradford. 2014. J. Dairy Sci. 97:3815-3821.
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