Milk fever (parturient hypocalcaemia) means a lowering of blood calcium levels around the time of calving. Lack of calcium results in a loss of muscle activity with symptoms of milk fever being a lack of muscle function.
A cow with milk fever, won’t respond fully to calcium injections unless her magnesium status is satisfactory. Why? Magnesium helps control blood calcium balance by increasing the efficiency of calcium absorption from the gut.
Mild hypomagnesaemia greatly impairs calcium absorption efficiency. A small reduction in blood magnesium levels reduces the efficiency of dietary calcium absorption by up to 40%.
CRYSTALYX TRANSITION DRY COW is the latest innovation from Caltech and forms part of the new range of dairy products. Transition Dry Cow offers a palatable combination of magnesium sources to help maintain normal blood magnesium levels in the run up to calving, whilst also containing a full complement of all essential trace elements and vitamins – at levels meeting, or exceeding, the very latest NRC recommended intakes – to replenish body reserves prior to calving and help support and maintain a strong healthy immune system within the cow.
This is important for calf health and vigour at birth and to help the cow withstand the rigours and challenges she will meet when transitioning into lactation, when a strong, healthy immune system can help reduce the risk of mastitis in early lactation.
Average intakes of 200g/cow/day, means feeding Crystalyx Transition Dry Cow for an 8-week dry period represents an investment of only £12.00-£12.50/cow.
Reducing clinical milk fever cases alone by 2% will result in £65/cow more milk production, which equates to £6,500 per 100 cows (DairyNZ data, based on 25ppl). Reductions in early lactation mastitis incidence are a further Brucie Bonus!
