News July - August 2022
Navigating the Transition Period Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS, Associate Vice President, Science and Technology, Agrarian Solutions
T
he transition period from three weeks pre-calving to three weeks post-freshening poses tremendous immune, inflammation and digestive challenges to all dairy cows. The ability of the cow to respond to and handle the multitude of challenges during the critical six-week transition period determines whether she reaches her genetic potential for milk production, re-breeds on a timely basis, and whether she remains in the herd or is culled.
Perhaps the most important battlegrounds during the transition period are the mucosal membranes of the digestive, reproductive, and respiratory tracts. Maintaining the integrity of the epithelial cells lining these tracts is necessary to prevent pathogenic organisms and mycotoxins from entering the cow’s body to cause inflammation and immune challenges. Fueling and supporting the inflammation and immune challenges diverts nutrients from growth, body replenishment, milk production and reproduction. Further, not successfully responding to early lactation health challenges enables these problems to persist on into the lactation period, which are then evidenced by lower production, failed breedings, abortions and potentially death. Variable feed quality, or less than ideal feed hygiene, can disrupt ruminal fermentation and nutrient absorption. Maximizing feed quality and stabilizing feed hygiene is necessary for assisting cows through the transition period and on to a successful lactation. Case studies (available from Agrarian Solutions) document the production, health and reproduction Maximizing feed quality and stabilizing feed hygiene benefits of is necessary for assisting cows through the transition supplementing period and on to a successful lactation. Select BioCycle Plus™ to transition cows, especially those experiencing mycotoxin or pathogen loads. BioCycle Plus is formulated to uniquely assist the cow in defense against the multitude of challenges during transition and set the stage for production, reproduction and remaining in the herd. L-form bacteria: Proprietary processes allow the selection and development of three strains cell wall-deficient bacteria, commonly referred to as L-form bacteria. Strain #1: Establishes residence in the mucous lining the digestive tract to down-
regulate the inflammation response and enhance humoral immune production against pathogens. Strain #2: Also colonizes the digestive tract’s mucosal lining to secrete organic acids to stabilize GI tract pH to protect the epithelial cells from pathogens, while facilitating digesta fermentation and nutrient absorption. Strain #3: This L-form strain is 1/50 to 1/100 the size of the original bacteria, and is therefore able to penetrate the digestive epithelial cell walls to trigger cellular export transport proteins to remove mycotoxins from the cell contents for maintaining epithelial integrity. Specialized proteins: Egg-derived proteins to protect digestive epithelial cells from specific pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Live cell yeast and yeast culture: Promote digesta fermentation and feed intake. Enzymes: Enhancing digesta fermentation and providing nutrients for beneficial bacteria is critical meeting the transition cow’s nutrient demands. For information on BioCycle Plus and supporting case studies talk with your CentralStar team.
Apply for a National DHIA scholarship High school seniors and college undergraduate students may apply for National DHIA’s $1,000 scholarships. Applicants must be full-time, incoming or continuing students at technical and two-year and four-year colleges/universities. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, the applicant must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, family member of a DHI employee, or employee of a DHI affiliate. The scholarship selection committee will evaluate applicants based on scholastic achievements, leadership, community activities, work experience, knowledge of and experience with DHIA, and responses to questions on the application. Applications are due Oct. 31, 2022. Recipients will be announced at the 2023 National DHIA Annual Meeting. To apply, go to: https://dhia.org/scholarships/ and download and complete the electronic application form.
Diagnostic Test Options
FLY AND PEST CONTROL
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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
• Labeled for mosquitoes, stable flies, and lice
Complete 16
Milk
2 days
Pooled Complete 16 (Min 3/Max 5)
Milk
2 days
• Apply every two weeks for seasonlong control
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
ELISA
Milk, Serum
5 days
PCR
Fecal
10 days
Pooled PCR (Min 3/Max 5)
Fecal
10 days
PCR
Milk
10 days
A1/A2 BVD
Mastitis PCR
Johne’s
Ultra Boss Pour-On™ • 1 gallon • Zero milk withholding, zero meat withdrawal • 5% Permethrin and 5% piperonyl butoxide
Dairy Bomb 55Z • 25 oz. spray bomb • Low odor, non-flammable, nonozone depleting • Optimum killing power • Highest concentration of active ingredients and synergists available Intersect Gold Pour-On™
BLV PCR
Whole Blood
10 days
• 1 and 2.5 gallon sizes
ELISA
Serum, Milk
5 days
• Controls lice and flies • Pour-on, mist spray, or back rubber
Neospora ELISA
Serum, Milk
5 days
ELISA
Serum
1 day
ELISA
Milk
1 day
Pregnancy
• Apply every two weeks • Works as premise spray in/around animal housing
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SPECIAL
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JUNE 1 TO JULY 31, 2022
800.631.3510 • www.mycentralstar.com Ideal for fresh cows, BioFresh Bolus supplies critical vitamins and minerals to supplement a cow’s variable intake, and aids in immune function by providing L-form Lactobacillus, microbial sugars, and specialized proteins. The BioFresh Bolus will also help retain more milk and reduce Somatic Cell Counts Fly and Pest Control May 20222.indd 1 4/25/2022(SCC). 9:58:00 AM BioFresh Bolus is an eight times concentrated form of Select BioCycle with added vitamins and minerals.
™BioFresh Bolus is a trademark of Select Sires Inc. and is manufactured by Agrarian Solutions® All claims, representation and warranties, expressed or implied, are made only by Agrarian Solutions and not by Select Sires Inc.
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