News August - September 2022
Not all calcium boluses are created equal Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS, Vice President of Nutrition, Agrarian Solutions
M
ilk Fever (Clinical Hypocalcemia) is a metabolic disease that has been greatly reduced on most well-managed herds. However, Subclinical Hypocalcemia (SCH) is a silent thief that leads to other diseases and lowers productivity. In North America more than 50 percent of cows in second and greater lactation suffer from SCH for at least one day during the fresh period. A calcium bolus is the easiest, safest and most efficient way to supplement cows during this critical time.
In the world of calcium boluses, there are many choices. The calcium bolus, Ca3 BioFresh® from Agrarian Solutions is now available from your CentralStar team and has clear advantages over many alternatives.
calcium absorption. All three calcium sources are safe for the mouth, esophagus and rumen membranes. Calcium chloride, a commonly used source in other boluses, can be very caustic when the waxy bolus coating breaks or wears off in the rumen. Calcium carbonate is an inexpensive and commonly used source that has almost no effect on blood calcium levels because of its poor bioavailability. Ca3 BioFresh contains 45.5 grams of Calcium in one bolus, so in most cases you only need one bolus at freshening. High risk cows may need a second bolus 12 hours later. Ca3 BioFresh also contains 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 to further enhance the cow’s ability to absorb and metabolize calcium. In the crowded market for Calcium boluses, Ca3 BioFresh offers clear advantages. Talk to your CentralStar team for more information.
Calcium source and speed of dissolving are important factors for getting calcium rapidly into the cow’s bloodstream. Ca3 BioFresh features calcium acetate, calcium sulfate and tricalcium phosphate as calcium sources. The calcium acetate rapidly dissolves in the rumen for quick passive absorption in the rumen, the calcium Calcium Calcium Sources acetate sulfate has a moderate rate of dissolving in the Speed of absorption quick rumen, while the tricalcium Ruminal bioavailability high phosphate has a slow rate Caustic to membranes low of dissolving for longer term
Ca3 BIOFRESH ®
OTHER BOLUSES
Calcium sulfate
Tricalcium phosphate
Calcium chloride
Calcium carbonate
moderate
slow
quick
slow
high
moderate
high
moderate
low
low
high
low
IT’S TIME... to know she’s still pregnant Request the milk pregnancy test on DHI samples before dry off! • Least invasive method. • Promotes resting time which is associated with improved production. • 98% accurate.
• Eliminates time and labor to sort, restrain and sample animals when requested on DHI samples.
®
The Sustained Calcium Source. Introducing the brand new Ca3 BioFresh Bolus. ®
In the world of calcium boluses, there are many choices for dairy producers. At Agrarian Solutions® we strive to provide product solutions that stand out as best in their category.
800.631.3510 • mycentralstar.com
Diagnostic Test Options Order during your next routine DHI test.
Diagnostic Test
Sample Type
Turnaround
PCR
Milk, Whole Blood, Tissue
10 days
ELISA
Milk, Serum, Tissue
5 days
PCR
Milk, Tissue, Whole Blood
10 days
Pooled PCR (Min 10/Max 20)
Tissue, Whole Blood
10 days
Pooled PCR (Min 20/Max 250)
Milk
10 days
Complete 16
Milk
2 days
Pooled Complete 16 (Min 3/Max 5)
Milk
2 days
Contagious 4
Milk
2 days
Pooled Contagious 4 (Min 3/Max 5)
Milk
2 days
Single Mastitis (Staph aureus OR M. bovis)
Milk
2 days
Pooled Single Mastitis (Min 3/Max 5)
Milk
2 days
PortaSCC™ Quick Test
ELISA
Milk, Serum
5 days
A somatic cell count (SCC) test for on-farm detection of subclinical mastitis in cows.
PCR
Fecal
10 days
Pooled PCR (Min 3/Max 5)
Fecal
10 days
PCR
Milk
10 days
PCR
Whole Blood
10 days
ELISA
Serum, Milk
5 days
ELISA
Serum, Milk
5 days
ELISA
Serum
1 day
ELISA
Milk
1 day
A1/A2 BVD
Mastitis PCR
Johne’s
BLV
On-farm testing solutions
Available through CentralStar. PortaBHB™ Milk Ketone Test A semi-quantitative milk dipstick test for the detection of subclinical ketosis in dairy cows. • Monitoring for sub-clinical ketosis in individual cows provides means of early detection and treatment. • One-minute reaction time. Order online
• Conducting regular SCC tests is important for monitoring milk quality and maintaining herd health. • 5 to 6-minute reaction time. Order online
Neospora Pregnancy
800.631.3510 • mycentralstar.com