Uncontrollable challenge is the norm for dairy farmers. Feed price volatility, unpredictable and sometimes extreme weather, tightening environmental requirements, and subsidy changes – to name a few. The Crystalyx range of cattle licks offers a cost-effective, all-weather and production-enhancing approach to supplementation. For one challenge taken control of.
The Crystalyx range of low moisture feed blocks have been formulated to cater to the needs of each stage of the dairy cow’s lifecycle:
- Crystalyx Calf 100 – for calves in the first 100 days of life
- Crystalyx Easy Breather – for young calves exposed to respiratory problems
- Crystalyx Heifer 730 – for weaned heifers up to first calving
- Crystalyx Heifer Garlyx Grazer – for heifers exposed to insect problems
- Crystalyx Transition Dry Cow – for transition dry cows
- Crystalyx Transition 100 – for fresh calvers up to day 100 of their lactation
Why is ‘low moisture’ important in cattle licks?
‘Low moisture’ feed licks are better on a few different levels. With just 2 – 3% total moisture, all Crystalyx feed licks are highly concentrated in energy, protein and micronutrients (minerals, trace elements and vitamins) but cannot be ‘gorged’ on, lasting up to 3X longer. This low moisture status comes from a unique manufacturing process patented to Crystalyx.
Crystalyx Calf 100
This low moisture feed lick promotes early rumen development and starter feed intake. With the rumen more developed and intakes on the up, calves are stronger, more vigorous, and calves better able to withstand the stresses at weaning.
Formulation features:
• Containing Butyrate fatty-acid in a sold feed format to support the development of the rumen tissue and villi. Butyrate is also palatable to help stimulate intakes.
• Containing Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) yeast cell wall, to support gut health and overall immunity, as well as feed conversion efficiency.
Crystalyx Calf 100
Crystalyx Easy Breather
This low moisture feed lick helps to alleviate stress and maintain a healthy respiratory system in calves (and sheep) at risk of problems such as nasal discharge, coughing and pneumonia, particularly during winter housing.
Formulation features:
• Containing active and proven decongestants – menthol and eucalyptus to help clear airways and reduce coughing.
• High in sugar for increased palatability and digestive function to help recovering calves regain their appetite for dry feed faster.
Crystalyx Easy Breather
Crystalyx Heifer 730
This low moisture feed lick promotes forage intakes and digestibility to help optimise growth rates in dairy heifers from 100 days of age.
In trials at Aberystwyth University, heifers fed Crystalyx Heifer 730 grew 15.2% faster than the control group, reaching bulling weight on average 40 days sooner.
Formulation features:
• Pro-Active contains essential and functional fatty acids, together with β-glucans and MOS, to stimulate/optimise immunity and increase feed efficiency in growing heifers.
• High in sugar to drive dry matter intakes and digestibility.
Crystalyx Heifer Garlyx Grazer
This low moisture feed lick is designed for grazing heifers when flies and biting insects are prevalent and causing stress and a risk of infection.
Formulation features:
• The natural high sulphur compounds of garlic contained in the product acts as an insect repellent.
• High levels of zinc to help maintain skin integrity and strength to further guard against biting insects.
Crystalyx Transition Dry Cow
This low moisture feed lick corrects and balances the nutritional deficits present in a forage-based diet during the late pregnancy period, whether out at grass or housed indoors. With transition cows in nutritional balance, healthy calving’s and an easy transition into lactation is more likely.
Formulation features:
• Maintains optimum blood magnesium levels to reduce the risk of milk fever and slow calving’s.
• Meets and/or exceeds the National Research Council’s (NRC) recommended intakes for minerals, trace elements and vitamins.
Crystalyx Transition 100
This low moisture feed lick is formulated to stimulate appetite in fresh calvers through to 100 days in milk, reducing negative energy balance and the risk of body fat mobilisation. With the risk of arising ketosis and fatty liver reduced, dairy cows are less likely to encounter metabolic issues in early lactation, which can compromise health, fertility and lactation performance.
In independent trials, feeding Crystalyx Transition Dry Cow followed by Crystalyx Transition 100 reduced the time to next service by 8 days, and time to conceive by 21 days. Additionally, 25% more cows were positively diagnosed as in-calf at 100 days.
Formulation features:
• Offers a source of rumen by-pass energy and proven buffers, including live yeast, which helps prevent the build-up of lactic acid that can cause acidosis. This stabilises rumen pH and reduces the risk of digestive upsets, ensuring feed intake is maximised to support optimum heath, fertility and lactation performance.
Do things differently with Crystalyx Cattle Licks
