Milk Fever
Dr. Gavin Wilson from the Veterinary Animal and Biomedical Institute, at Massey University, has discovered a novel method to reduce milk fever and associated calcium deficiencies in newly calved dairy cows. By reducing calcium deficiencies in 3-10 year old cows he has shown that they will produce up to 8% more milk-solids in early lactation. Because of the importance of calcium disorders in dairy cows, the experimental results are expected to create much interest from dairy farmers throughout the world.
The incidence of milk fever in Manawatu herds varies from 1 to 35%. But, the cows with milk fever represent just the tip of an iceberg, says Dr Wilson. Many others would be suffering from sub-clinical calcium deficiency- preventing them from milking to their potential, and causing many other problems, including poor intakes. Low blood calcium in early lactation was recently found in 40% of cows in a University herd, with just 1-2% milk fevers.
Survey results from overseas report that cows which had milk fever were 2-8 times more likely to suffer from calving difficulties, retained membranes, uterine infections, ketosis, and mastitis. One USA study suggested that milk fever costs farmers over $300 US/ case. Survey results in New Zealand suggest that nearly 2% of cows die, mainly during early lactation. Loss of each cow and her production for the season would represent $3000 or more.
Large feeding trials involving 1200 cows from 7 New Zealand commercial herds was conducted. Feeding just 1kg/cow daily of a special pelleted concentrate supplement for 2 to 3 weeks reduced the average incidence of milk fever from 17 to 6%.
The new strategy to prevent milk fever and sub-clinical calcium deficiency, which involves stimulating the ability of cows to absorb calcium, has been given the name ‘Calcigard™ Concept’.
In addition to the production gain the incidence of high somatic cell counts (100,000+/ml) was reduced from 41% in the controls, to 32% of the cows which received the experimental ration. Individual farmers also reported improvements in reducing calving difficulties, retained membranes, and in the number of non-cycling cows (by mid October).
Feed supplement that drastically reduces the incidence of calcium deficiency (Milk Fever).