A simple, cost-effective tool to help ease your cows through the ‘freshening’ period.
When a cow calves her body’s need for calcium increases rapidly and dramatically (by approximately 400%). She will also be experiencing hormonal imbalances and possibly a general feeling of malaise/fatigue. These changes can supress appetite making it difficult for her to consume enough calcium from her diet to meet these requirements.
Transition Calcium Bolus has been cleverly designed by liquifying and compressing three forms of calcium (chloride, propionate and carbonate), plus vitamin D to assist calcium absorption, into an easy to administer oral bolus.
Administered as soon after calving as possible, Transition Calcium Bolus are fast dissolving providing a ‘hit’ of easily absorbed calcium when your cows need it most. Administered before their blood calcium levels drop to dangerous levels (when calcium is then drawn from muscle and bone reserves resulting in downer cows) you are giving your girls the best possible chance of starting the milking season off on the front hoof. Additionally, she is then better able to resist secondary illnesses (such as metritis, RFMs, mastitis) and you can sleep a little easier knowing you have provided the best possible care.
Given as an oral bolus you have none of the issues with regurgitation associated with starter drenches and they take less time to give than ‘running-in’ bags of calcium.
Recommendations are to give one bolus as soon as possible post-calving followed by a second bolus 12 to 24 hours later (depending on how often you get cows into the shed). Larger cows may require two at the start. Most farmers identify cows which are most ‘at risk’. These could be older girls, carry-overs, any with history of illness, or cows who have needed calving assistance. Larger cows may need two boluses initially but it’s always best to talk with your vet to tailor a plan to your specific herd.
