Fresh Cow Alpha Manual

Nutrition solutions and requirements for the fresh cow.

Nutrition management that helps optimize fresh cow health and performance through transition.

Fresh Cow Alpha - engineered for fresh cows Fresh Cow Alpha Supplement has become the nutrition cornerstone for fresh cow groups around the world. Engineered to specifically address nutrition needs at very specific points during transition, Fresh Cow Alpha Supplement is recommended for use on every fresh cow.

Potassium: Nearly all fresh cows are deficient in potassium because their feed intake drops. Dosing the cow with potassium at freshening will re-establish normal electrolyte balance as well as raise and buffer the blood pH. The result is a cow that feels better and thus eats more. Potassium is essential for energy metabolism and aids in establishing smooth muscle tone.

Vitamin E: A drop in blood vitamin E level is due to excessive drain from the cow into the colostrum. Vitamin E is essential for good immune function and a single dose of Fresh Cow Alpha contains 500 IU of soluble vitamin E.

Fresh Cow Alpha is a TOTAL fresh cow product because it has the critical nutrients fresh cows need immediately post-freshening.

Yeast: Live yeast helps balance rumen pH by providing beneficial bacteria that work to keep lactic acid in check which can lead to improved health and performance. Alpha contains an elevated level of live yeast plus various fermentation extracts to stimulate rumen activity post-freshening.

Magnesium: Magnesium acts as a buffer in the rumen of the cow as she changes from the dry cow ration to the lactating ration. Magnesium also improves calcium metabolism.

Calcium: Fresh Cow Alpha contains 60 grams of elemental calcium in each dose and a total of 4 calcium sources including milk calcium. This combination provides quick and long-term absorption. Alpha does not contain calcium chloride - so the neutral pH improves palatability and reduces the chance of irritation to the throat and intestinal tract.

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Niacin: Negative energy balance can lead to excessive body condition loss, ketosis and other metabolic problems along with lowered immune function. Niacin helps to stimulate energy release from the liver and each dose of Alpha contains 3 grams of niacin.

Betaine: Dehydration is problematic as fluid loss associated with freshening can equal the weight of the calf, and most cows do not drink well in the hours pre-freshening. Betaine is an osmolyte, and osmolytes are compounds that affect osmosis and are soluble within a cell or in surrounding fluid. Osmolytes function to help maintain cell volume and fluid balance thereby improving Cellular Energetics (assist transport of electrolytes). Osmolytes also help cells maintain protein synthesis and cell division and help maintain gut integrity.

This level of nutrient value cant be found in competitive products. Compare for yourself. If your fresh cow needs it, Fresh Cow Alpha Supplement has it.

Introduction Since 1983, TechMix has been innovating, manufacturing and marketing, nutrition products designed to help improve animal health, performance and maximize profits around the world.

Our portfolio of more than 70 all-natural products is specifically engineered to address the time-sensitive nutritional needs of animals when they undergo periods of stress due to life cycle, diet changes or other stressful events. Each product is validated through research to provide the right nutrition at the right time and it’s a concept we call our Timed Event Nutrition (T.E.N.) program. T.E.N. makes recovery easier and quicker by supplying critical nutrients during these times.

For the fresh cow, the entire transition period is really a series of one stress event followed by another. From decreased dry matter intake close up, to challenges with rehydration and re-establishment of feed intake post-freshening, the dairyman needs solutions that encourage a healthy recovery and optimal lactation performance. Many fresh cow challenges can be mitigated with proper nutrition delivered at just the right time.

TIMED EVENT NUTRITION

This Manual outlines the most common freshening challenges and introduces timely nutritional solutions proven to help the post-fresh cow recover quickly while demonstrating solid economic benefits to the dairy producer.

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Key challenges facing the fresh cow by phase Phase 1: Pre-freshening Lower dry matter intake

Phase 2: During freshening Hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium)

When cows freshen, their feed intake drops up to 25% in the first 24-48 hours after calving. However, research shows that feed intake actually drops significantly in close up cows (Fig. 1). Combined, this reduction in feed intake puts the cow at a significant post-freshening nutritional disadvantage heading into lactation where her nutritional demands are great.

Low dry matter intake can negatively affect gut microbiota and spark a cascade of negative health and performance challenges well into lactation. In fact, dairy scientists estimate that at the peak of lactation, any incident that decreases milk production by .5 kilos at the peak of lactation will decrease milk production by 225-450 Kgs throughout lactation. Any incident that decreases milk production by 1-2.25 Kgs at the peak of lactation will have a proportional greater decrease in milk production throughout lactation. Regardless of the incident, a depressed appetite leads to lower production, increased weight loss and poor reproduction. Therefore, recognizing and mitigating challenges throughout all freshening stages can help improve health and performance outcomes.

Fig. 1

DMI, %BW

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Every new lactation tests the cow’s ability to maintain adequate blood calcium levels. Healthy cows have 10-12 grams calcium in their blood but producing milk requires significant amounts of calcium which the cow needs to accommodate. Colostrum production alone demands 20-30 grams of calcium in the first day. It’s clear that the physical demands for supplemental calcium are quite obvious.

Blood calcium is required for normal muscle and nerve function - especially as it relates to strength and gastrointestinal motility.

Cows that do not have adequate amounts of calcium can readily be challenged with hypocalcaemia. According to research 10-20% of multiparous cows are clinically hypocalcaemic at freshening; another 50% can be considered subclinical* and do not necessarily have to be lying down to show this. The chart below shows a cascade of negative events as an outcome of hypocalcaemia.

Hypocalcaemia

(Clinical or Subclinical)

Skeletal muscle function

Injury

Smooth muscle function

Rumen motility

Abomasal motility

1.8 1.6

Dry matter intake

1.4

Heifer (gestation = 1) Cow (gestation 2)

1.2 1 -25

-20

-15

-10

Displaced abomasum

Ketosis

-5

0

Day Relative to Freshening Ric R. Grummer and Armagan Hayirli

Due to the large amount of physical and nutritional stress put on the fresh cow, there are many physical and metabolic challenges that can be triggered. The most common challenges may include the following: hypocalcaemia, dehydration, ketosis, retained placentas, milk fever and displaced abomasums.

Milk yield Garrett Oetzel, DVM, MS and Brian Miller, DVM. Progressive Dairyman Oct. 7, 2011

Points to consider regarding hypocalcaemia: • Cows in second-lactation and greater, exhibit transient Hypocalcaemia • S ubclinical Hypocalcaemia has been determined to have greater associated costs to the dairy than does clinical milk fever • Herds utilizing anionic salts programs successfully can benefit from oral calcium supplements • Oral supplementation is the preferred approach for supporting cows showing signs of milk fever (still standing)

Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium is critical in the cow’s ability to metabolize calcium and therefore, critical to helping prevent Hypocalcaemia. Since the cow’s magnesium level is dependent on diet alone, a 4

deficiency can easily occur when there is a natural drop in dry matter intake such as when a cow is close up or immediately post-fresh. Additionally, a magnesium deficiency can occur when rumen pH rises - placing continued emphasis on improving dry matter intake.

• Supplementation raises and buffers blood pH, resulting in a cow that feels better and therefore, eats more

Post-fresh cows require a lot of nutrient support. Most all these nutrients work synergistically to aid in recovery. However, effective delivery and levels of each nutrient needs to be considered. Magnesium needs to be fed at levels up to 4 times higher than normal blood magnesium levels to ensure efficacy in absorption. Inadequate calcium to phosphorus ratio or an inadequate balance of dietary cations to anions contribute to hypomagnesemia.

Displaced abomasum (DA)

Points to consider regarding magnesium: • Cows with Hypomagnesemia can often exhibit nervousness, stiff gait, staggering, or convulsions in severe cases • Helps prevent tetany by increasing dietary magnesium and insuring that it is in an available form • Deficiency results in poor muscle contraction

Potassium deficiency

Cows do not have the endocrine mechanism to manage potassium levels in their blood stream and therefore rely on diet input, along with urine and fecal output, to regulate.

Once cows freshen, the demands of recovery from calving and lactation quickly exhaust their supplies of potassium which can lead to metabolic disorders like ketosis.

Nearly all post-freshening cows are deficient in potassium due to the common practice of feeding anionic salts or low potassium dry cow diets pre-freshening.

Potassium is the primary electrolyte responsible for intracellular energy mobilization and utilization.

Responsible for proper fluid balance within cells, potassium is a requirement for proper body function. In fact, the absence of adequate amounts of potassium affects smooth muscle contraction which can lead to issues related to retained placentas. The combination of low feed intake and dehydration post-freshening, leave the cow deficient and therefore supplementation is required to ensure recovery and sufficient support for cell activity.

Points to consider regarding potassium: • Supplementing potassium immediately post-freshening helps re-establish normal electrolyte balance

• Essential for energy metabolism • Helps establish smooth muscle tone

Of the many factors that contribute to a DA, one of the leading contributors is the suppressed appetite and resulting imbalance of nutrients. When intake is low, such as when appetite is suppressed post-freshening, a cow may try to provide energy through fat mobilization. However, if too much fat is mobilized it can be deposited in the liver and lead to fatty livers and impaired function. At this point the appetite becomes even more suppressed - further compounding the issue and elevating the risk of metabolic issues, which in turn can also be contributing factors in DAs. Generally, displaced abomasums occur within about 2 weeks post-freshening. Post-freshening, there is more room for the abomasum to “move around” due to the available space without the calf. This “extra space” is another significant contributor to DAs. Encouraging immediate water intake helps to “anchor” the rumen in place and reduces this chance of displacement.

DAs can have a relationship to factors affecting smooth muscle tone with anything that can cause the animal to have hypocalcaemia. This would be too much potassium and an incorrect calcium balance. In this condition muscles don’t contract properly and the rumen loses motility - allowing the abomasum to displace.

Reduce the likelihood of getting a displaced abomasum Encouraging feed intake with good quality forages during this transition from the typical high fiber dry cow diet to a higher energy lactation diet is the best means of preventing DAs. Nutritional factors relating to DAs are very intertwined so proper balance is crucial. Adequate calcium and magnesium are critical for abomasum motility thus further reducing or preventing the chance of displacement.

Points to consider regarding displaced abomasums: • Watch for depressed appetite and encourage normal feed intakes as much as possible pre-freshening • Manage the amount of concentrates in a pre-freshening diet • Make proper nutrients available immediately post-freshening and encourage water and feed intake to help occupy space

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Phase 3: Post-freshening Negative energy balance

When energy intake is less than energy used for milk production and typical cow maintenance, a cow can fall into a negative energy state. Hormonal changes surrounding freshening, the demands of a growing fetus, and low dry matter intake are all contributing factors. Body fat is mobilized in an effort to balance energy levels but in excess this can lead to fatty liver syndrome, body condition loss, ketosis and other metabolic problems along with a lowered immune function.

Dehydration

Challenges related to reduced feed intake pre- and postfreshening are well documented. What many producers tend to overlook is the fresh cow’s water intake and the negative effect dehydration has on post-fresh cows.

Research shows that water intake helps improve feed intake.

However prior to freshening, feed and water intake are both shown to decline leaving the cow somewhat dehydrated even before she freshens. In this condition extracellular fluids are lost as well… up to 53 liters according to studies. Add to this the fact that fluid and tissue loss during freshening can equal the weight of the calf and she now has an immediate demand to produce milk. Fig. 3, shows the variation in milk yield when the cow is dehydrated vs. rehydrated.

Fig. 3

The most severe levels of negative energy happen during the first and second week post-freshening. Fig. 2 below, shows the drop in energy balance when energy intake does not meet requirements. Research has shown, however, that a return to positive energy balance can happen relatively quickly for most cows when nutrient demands are sufficiently met.

Fig. 2 50 40 30

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10 0 -10 -20 -56 -51 -46 -41 -36 -31 -26 -21 -16 -11 -6 -1 6 11 16 21

Day Relative to Freshening Energy intake, requirements, and balance of cows fed a far-off low-energy diet (1.50 Mcal NEI/kg) for the first four weeks of the dry period, a moderate-energy transition diet (1.69 Mcal/kg DM) for the final four weeks prior to freshening and a high-energy lactation diet post-freshening (1.75 Mcal/kg DM).

Ric R. Grummer presented at World Buiatrics Congress 2006

Points to consider regarding negative energy balance: • Recovery with proper nutrition can happen quickly however recovery can be detrimental to the life of the cow without proper nutrient support • Encouraging feed intake immediately post-freshening is essential

25% restriction 50% restriction

12 11 10 0

NE1 intake NE1 requirement NE1 balance

20

6

Milk Yield (Kg/day)

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Effect of Dehydration on Milk Yield

Baseline Water restriction Rehydration 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Time (d) Source: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 280:R418-R427, 2001.

Water content is about 65% of the dairy cow’s body weight.

Of this total body fluid, 66% is contained within cells and the remaining third is found in the soft tissue compartments, digestive and vascular systems. Combined, these body systems and cells carry and distribute nutrients, along with disease fighting cells and compounds, to maintain balance, and provide fluid for the fetus.

The rumen serves as a reservoir that releases consumed water to the body fluid compartments via osmotic pressure. As cells require fluid for metabolism, electrolytes and other nutrients exert osmotic pressure in order to continuously supply the cells with fluid for normal functions. If the body does not have enough fluids then the amount of nutrients transferred to the cells (for metabolism etc.) is greatly reduced. Therefore, managing the water content in the rumen is important for maintaining both normal rumen fluid volume as well as other body fluid reserves.

Beware that not all situations of dehydration in cattle are easy to recognize. The rumen acts as a fluid holding compartment by which body fluid balance can be maintained for a short period of time. “Shrink” of the animal’s normal body weight occurs

when this volume is not maintained and will lead into clinical dehydration as identified below.

Identifying levels of dehydration Severely challenged cattle can dehydrate in excess of 10 percent of their body weight. This degree of dehydration is potentially life-threatening and clinical signs include the following:

• Eyes sunken into orbits

• Skin remains tented indefinitely

• Mucus membranes are dry

• Depressed attitude is evident Cattle with dehydration of 5 - 10 percent of their body weight will exhibit

• Partial sunken eyes into the orbit

• Skin tenting that is 4 to 8 seconds in duration

• Tacky mucus membranes

• Reduced dry matter intake

• Decreased productivity It should be noted that university studies indicate cattle with 7 - 8 percent dehydration levels show impaired immune response.

Cattle with 2 to 4 percent dehydration or less will have minimal observable clinical signs but physiological and performance efficiency can be reduced. Water loss during heat stress can be quite evident by observing the cows body condition. But even in periods when heat stress is not a factor maintaining proper hydration is important as cows continually lose water via:

To maintain normal cellular functions, a 454 Kg cow requires 45 liters (43 Kgs) of water on a daily basis. Some of this water comes from their feed ration (10-30%) and the balance from daily water volume intake (usually 8 to 9 percent of their total body weight).

For a lactating cow, each 4.5 Kgs of milk produced requires an additional gallon of water over maintenance requirements.

Rehydration is a key requirement to returning the post-fresh cow back to health and setting her up for optimal lactation.

• Milk production (25-35% of total water intake)

Points to consider regarding dehydration: • Lower feed intake coincides with dehydration

• Freshening (fluid loss equal in weight to the calf )

• Intracellular activity is reduced

• Fecal (30-35% of total water intake)

• Milk yield is reduced

• Urine (15-21% of total water intake)

• Vapor loss from the lungs

• Digestion

• Disease, diarrhea, malabsorption

• Body condition suffers • Recovery from freshening is impaired

Rehydration Rehydration and hydration maintenance for dairy cattle can be accomplished in three ways:

1. Parental through IV or subcutaneous administration

2. Oral rumen drenching/pumping with large volumes

3. Combination of parental and oral volume of fluid or supplementation of electrolytes.

Electrolytes can be added to the ration on an as-needed basis to improve fluid efficiency due to their role in helping promote nutrient flow and balance. When calculating replacement fluids it’s important to consider maintenance requirements, production needs, and fluid losses due to freshening, heat stress, sweat, sickness or other challenges.

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Pre-freshening

Physiology of fresh cow challenges

Post-freshening

Freshening

Ca

8

Mg K

Negative Results

Post-freshening

Freshening

Pre-freshening

Challenges of the fresh cow • Low dry matter intake - Feed intake drops close up - Water intake drops close up

• Slower recovery with chance of metabolic issues • Lower production • Weight loss • Poor reproduction • Dehydration • Greater risk of displaced abomasum (DA) • Hypokalemia - low potassium level

• Hypocalcaemia - Inadequate calcium levels

• Calcium levels don’t meet demands of milk production • Impairs smooth muscle and nerve function • Risk for ketosis • Drop in milk production

• Hypomagnesmia - Inadequate magnesium levels

• Required for metabolizing calcium • Results in impaired muscle contraction

• Hypokalemia - Inadequate potassium levels

• Improper cell function and electrolyte balance • Negative energy balance • Risk of retained placenta

• Negative energy balance - Low energy intake - Inadequate supply of electrolytes

• Lethargy contributes to low feed intake • Potential for fatty liver syndrome, ketosis, or other metabolic issues

• Dehydration - Low fluid/water intake

• Shrink and decline in body condition • Impaired circulatory function • Loss of milk production

Economic impact of fresh cow challenges Milk production is the life blood of the dairy business. Therefore, costs. If a dairyman could prevent even a couple cows from the the transition period should be the pinnacle of a dairyman’s treatments, it would be easy to project how the savings add up. focus, because any miscalculation here can cost thousands in A convenient calculator can be found at techmixglobal.com/ either health related issues or long-term production losses. freshcow.

In fact, 70-80% of veterinary costs are incurred 1-3 weeks Metabolic Disease Cost ($) Die (%) Culled (%) Lost Milk (Kg) Extra Days Open post-freshening. However, many of these costs are potentially Milk Fever 275 4 5 130 13 preventable. With proper understanding of the relationship Retained Placenta 315 1.5 6 250 15 between fresh cow physiology and proper nutrition, a Ketosis 232 0.5 5 230 10 dairyman can save big on treatment interventions, culling Displaced Abomasum 494 2 8 380 12 or lost production. The table here, highlights some of the Clinical Mastitis 224 1.1 7 55 3 key post-freshening challenges and associated treatment *Chuck Guard DVM, PhD Cornell University Veterinary School

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Confirming trial data on the Fresh Cow Alpha Technology The nutrition technology contained in Fresh Cow Alpha Supplement is perhaps the most well researched nutrition blend for fresh cows on the market. We partner closely with university research departments, independent researchers, and veterinarians to ensure each product has documentation for efficacy. What follows is data reported from recent trials.

2011 Victory Farms trial

Victory Farms - Protein & Butterfat 6

237 fresh cows – Jersey & Holstein, divided randomly and followed for 1 month Percent

FCAT* treated cows received 1 dose of FCAT immediately post-freshening Total milk production and components were measured

4 3 2 1

Results: • Both groups showed advantage for FCAT with huge peak milk difference in Jersey cows

0

• Butterfat and protein gains for FCAT cows was consistent for Jersey and Holstein breeds

Butterfat

Protein

Jersey Cows

Holstein Cows

37 Kg

46 Kg

Control Group

25 Kg

46 Kg

S. Dakota FCAT* - Metabolic disorders 20 FCAT* Group

15 Percent

Trial managed by local vet

Control Group

10 5

Metabolic disorders and total milk production were measured

0

Results: • 25% reduction in retained placentas and 35% fewer culls/deaths • 400 lbs annual gain in milk production in this high performance herd

Retained Placenta

Metritis

Displaced Abomasum

Cull/Died

S. Dakota FCAT* - ME 305 Milk production ME 305 - Kgs Milk (x 1,000)

13

FCAT* Group

12.5

Control Group

12 11.5 11 10.5 10

10

Protein

FCAT* Group

3600 head dairy farm – 373 fresh cows selected for study

*FCAT - Fresh Cow Alpha Technology

Butterfat

Peak Milk - Participating Cows of 2nd Lactation and Greater

2009 South Dakota trial

FCAT* treatment group received 1 dose of FCAT via water immediately post-freshening

FCAT - Current Lactation

5

Lactation 1

Lactation 2

Lactation 3 +

Average (weighted)

2003 Colorado trial

Colorado FCAT* - Milk production 44

80 cows freshening in a two week period

FCAT* Group

Every other cow (40 per group) was treated with one dose of FCAT* at freshening; control cows received no treatment.

Herd had excellent dry cow nutrition and less than average fresh cow metabolic problems. Herd RHA >10,800 liters Results: • FCAT* Cows reached peak sooner and at higher levels

Average milk - Kgs

42

Control Group

40 38 36 34 32 30

• An average 2.9 Kg benefit was realized in this study!

57

63

70

77

84

92

98

Texas FCAT - Average milk production

The FCAT* group received FCAT immediately post-freshening Milk production measured by DHIA testing on monthly basis Milk Production: • Cows treated with FCAT showed 3.6 Kg average improvement at peak milk

Average daily milk - Kgs

40

38 cows, followed for 4 months to see impact on peak milk production

FCAT cows

Control cows

30 20 10 0

1

2

3

4*

Month/DHIA test number

1999 Midwest 12 herd summary

Metabolic Disorders: Total of nearly 800 cows observed with significant reduction in all metabolic disorders in FCAT groups

6

4 3 2

0

Consistent & significant response for FCAT cows

Week 3

Week 4

Weighted Average - Kgs daily milk

Weighted Average - Kgs daily milk

Week 5

Retained Placenta

Milk Fever

Ketosis

Displaced Abomasum

Milk Weight Summary - Heifers (11 herd composite)

Milk Weight Summary - Cows (12 herd composite)

Week 2

Control - 404 cows

1

Milk Production: Cows (12 herds x 5 weeks) and heifers (11 herds x 4 weeks) measured separately

Control - 285 cows

FCAT - 386 cows

5 Percent Incidence

One dose of FCAT* administered immediately post-freshening

Week 1

*(P<.003)

Metabolic Disease Incidence

Field trial report from composite of 12 Midwest USA Holstein dairy herds. Milk production (first 5 week) & metabolic disorders were measured between control and Alpha groups

FCAT - 345 cows

115

Average Days In Milk

2000 Texas trial

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 20 15 10 5 0

105

35 30

FCAT - 218 heifers

Control - 267 heifers

25 20 15 10 5 0

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4 11

How Fresh Cow Alpha® aids recovery.

CALCIUM SOURCE: Good milk starting without milk fever

ADIPOSE PANCREAS

MUSCLE

ENERGY: Good milk starting without ketosis

ELECTROLYTES & BETAIN: Good milk starting Good fluid balance Better blood transport

LIVER

RUMEN

YEAST: The best ruminal activation / energy / protein / reduced acidosis NIACIN: Liver health

MAMMARY

ZINC: Epithelium protection BENEFITS: • Encourages feed intake • Reduced metabolic challenges • Helps improve milk production • Increased milk fat and protein • Cows reach peak milk faster

VITAMINS: General metabolism

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