3 minute read
When the bolus hits the rumen, are they all the same?
responsibility for funding agreements. Alberta’s government has committed $370 million in provincial funding to agriculture research over the next 10 years. “Lakeland College continues to be a leader in agriculture research and this new agreement will only bolster that reputation. Under the stewardship of Lakeland, we can be certain that this project will support Alberta’s hardworking farmers and ranchers.,” says Garth Rowswell, MLA for VermilionLloydminster-Wainwright. “As RDAR interim board chair, in addition to previously announced funding for Olds College, I am delighted that we are now able to support and significantly augment the work being done at Lakeland College. Lakeland College is a very strong post-secondary institution with significant agricultural assets and potential,” says Dr. David Chalack, interim board chair of RDAR.
This investment is made possible by the governments of Canada and Alberta through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership and the Strategic Research and Development Program. “Alberta Pulse Growers is pleased to learn that Lakeland College will assume the pulse research program from the Alberta government. We have a great working relationship with the College and we look forward to further developing key pulse research projects addressing producer issues together for Alberta’s farmers,” says Don Shepert, chair, Alberta Pulse Growers.
By: Verhoef W, Zuidhof S, Ralston B, Ross JA, Olson M. Dissolution Rates of Calcium Boluses and Their Effects on Serum Calcium in Dairy Cattle. Vet Med (Auckl). 2021;12:23-32
When a cow starts milking, the demand for calcium from her body increases and depending on the cow’s ability to adapt, she may become hypocalcemic (hypo meaning low, under, below normal and calcemic meaning calcium in the blood); the common term is milk fever. Sometimes she may show no symptoms but end up with other issues such as mastitis, infections, or muscle/nerve damage. The lowest level of blood calcium typically occurs 12-24 hours after calving so it is important to get the calcium into the cow’s bloodstream as quickly as possible to increase her calcium levels to prevent milk fever and other issues.
Several commercial calcium boluses have been developed; each with a different calcium formulation. A study was conducted to determine the dissolving rate of each of the calcium bolus types as well as to determine if the rumen pH was affected by the boluses. When the bolus hits the rumen, are they all the same? The study revealed that the ingredients used for the calcium boluses played a large part in how quickly the boluses dissolved in the rumen. For calcium to be absorbed, it must first be dissolved. Calcium chloride and calcium sulphate are passively absorbed through the rumen wall which means the calcium is available quicker. Only when calcium carbonate gets to the small intestine is it absorbed.
Three calcium boluses were tested with varying calcium ingredients. Cal-Boost made by Solvet Animal Health, Transition Bolus made by Vetoquinol N.-A Inc and RumiLife CAL24 bolus produced by Genex Cooperative Inc. In all three trials, the quickest bolus to dissolve was the Cal-Boost bolus: dissolving in under 90 minutes. The Transition bolus was next, taking under 180 minutes in two of the three trials and RumiLife took the longest. In all three trials and all three boluses, the rumen pH remained relatively constant. Replacing the calcium levels as soon as possible is the goal of calcium bolus treatment therefore selecting a bolus that dissolves as quickly as possible is an important consideration. It is important that you talk to your veterinarian about a calcium bolus strategy that would work for your management.
So, when the bolus hits the rumen, are they all the same? The answer is no.
