News February - March, 2021
Better than baler twine and duct tape
Y
ou know it’s a bad day when you have to break out the baler twine and duct tape. While these are universal tools of the trade for all sorts of problems on the farm – they can’t help when calves have a bad day. When a calf is born, there is an immediate and constant barrage of environmental challenges trying to “destroy” your newest and most promising genetic investment. While feeding high quality colostrum and disinfecting the navel are the cornerstones of a good protocol, adding CONVERT™ provides greater protection from a bad day. CONVERT is the only direct-fed microbial that offers stabilized L-form bacteria, creating an environment that promotes appetite, reducing gram negative scourcausing bacteria from surviving. When
the gut is full of healthy bugs, there are fewer places for bad bugs to colonize and grow, forcing them to pass through a calf’s system. One dose of CONVERT within 13 hours of birth helps calves resist the most common pathogens. For continued protection, CONVERT can be added to milk replacer for the first three weeks of life.
Quick Facts:
University research shows CONVERT’s effectiveness, but the real proof is how it works on-farm. Producers that use CONVERT report reduced scours, mortality, and antibiotic use, as well as increased growth rates and appetite.
• Calves treated for scours are almost three times more likely to calve after 30 months.2
CONVERT can help calves get through a bad day – but why wait? Include it as part of your routine calf protocol to protect their future and yours.
• Scouring calves treated with antibiotics gave 1,086 lbs. less milk during their first lactation.1 • Calves treated for pneumonia or scours are more likely to be culled or leave the herd early.2
• Higher pre-weaning average daily gain positively impacts firstlactation milk yield. It is estimated that for each pound of daily gain, milk production increased by 1,540 lbs. in the first lactation or 6,000 lbs. over three lactations. 1 Sources: 2Pre-weaning calf health, University of Minnesota Extension, 1Dairy Calf Management Practices Impact Future Production, University of Kentucky, Donna M. Amaral-Phillips.
Virtual Training Opportunities Personalized, one-on-one training available March 1 - 12. Schedule your free, personalized PCDART training with Larry Glista, CentralStar Technical Services Coordinator. With nearly 20 years of DHI and PCDART experience, Larry provides practical tips and tricks that will save you time and give you the needed information to make profitable decisions for your herd. Email larry.glista@mycentralstar.com to schedule your free virtual training session!
Training Details:
• March 1 - 12 • Training duration dependent on your needs. • Email larry.glista@mycentralstar.com to reserve your training time.
Potential Training Topics: • • • •
Building Custom Reports Cow Graphs Meat & Milk Withholdings Protocols & Chores
• • • •
Recording Health Conditions Setting up Timed A.I. Tracker Series Other topics to meet your needs