Drenching stress eliminated with magnesium capsules
Improved herd health, less stress and lower labour costs have all resulted from using Rumetrace magnesium capsules for one Waikato farmer. Shane Knox contract milks 400 cows for owner Micheal Fitzi on rolling to flat country near Walton, south-east of Morrinsville.
“Last season was the first year we had used the capsules and we will definitely be using them again in the next,” says Shane.
Last season 380 cows were milked on the 110ha milking platform through a 30 ASHB and the pressure over spring time is high, with only two labour units in the dairy.
“The choice was either to try the capsules or have to employ an extra labour unit over spring-time to enable us to drench properly,” says Shane. The decision to go with the capsules more than paid off.
“When we took over last season the cows were in light condition, being barely score four. They got up to over 4.5 score and were on 5 for all of lactation. It was not just the capsules that did it, but they certainly made a big difference.” By administering one capsule to each cow post-calving the stress of metabolic problems was removed.
The Rumetrace capsules comprise 190g of elemental magnesium and have a life of between 9-12 weeks.
“We had no metabolic problems all year and the cows certainly peaked well, and it was a particularly late, difficult spring this season,” says Shane. At their peak the mainly Friesian herd was producing 1.9kg of milk solids and was 22% ahead of the 2001/02 season at spring time.
The capsules are administered orally with a special applicator that pushes the magnesium capsule well down the throat.
“You just have to time it to make sure the cow swallows as you release the capsule,” says Shane. There was only one cow that coughed her capsule up.”
Blood tests taken at mating revealed one of the highest Mg levels of any herd in the area and no other deficiencies apparent.
“Even the calcium levels were good, despite not drenching the herd with any mineral supplement.”
Eliminating drenching has also eliminated many of the stresses that go with that labour intensive activity. Problems with guns blocking during milking and heifers having to be trained all add up at a time of year when many operators are already stretched for time, resources and patience.
At around $20 a capsule Shane Knox admits the capsules are not cheap against the raw cost of magnesium drench.
“However for us the labour issue was a major one. It can be diffcult to get someone to help out just over calving and mating, particularly someone who has the skills you need. When we split the cost of the capsules with Micheal, the land owner, it certainly became a better option.”
10 June 2003