Once and Done By: Kirsten French, Resale Product Advisor
Hypocalcemia, or milk fever, is the result of a reduction of blood calcium in the early stages of lactation. Hypocalcemia is all too common in the dairy cattle industry. The average herd experiences subclinical hypocalcemia in up to 50% of their cows.1 Hypocalcemia can affect a cow in many ways. It can lead to increased injury, decreased feed intake, increased risk of ketosis, increased risk of displaced abomasum and lower milk production.1 Subclinical milk fever, where symptoms are not visible, can be associated with an increased risk of metritis, increased risk of fever, lower pregnancy rates and increased days open, all costing an average of $125 per case.1 Understanding the economic impact and hearing members’ requests for a product to help alleviate milk fever as efficiently as possible, GENEX set out to create a calcium bolus that could benefit members’ herds.
What causes milk fever? The average cow has approximately 10 grams of calcium available in her extracellular fluid. However, during the transition period cows can need 4-10 times more calcium to finish developing a calf, produce colostrum and begin milk production. This drastic increase in calcium demand within a short period of time can cause calcium deficiency and lead to milk fever.
In developing this bolus, GENEX took into consideration members’ input regarding administration, shape and size. Other calcium boluses on the market require two administrations: one immediately after calving and a second 12 hours later. While bolus administration is necessary, catching a cow twice is inconvenient. Concerns were also voiced about the shape and coating of other calcium supplement products, noting large boluses should be shaped to glide down a throat and have a slick coating so they can be easily swallowed. In addition, research indicated vitamin D and magnesium are necessary for the transfer of calcium into the blood stream.
Driven to meet members’ needs, GENEX has created a calcium bolus that can give producers peace of mind: RumiLife® CAL24™ nutritional supplement. What makes this calcium bolus unique? One package, containing two boluses, provides enough calcium so producers don’t have to catch the cow a second time. That is right. Just ONE package of RumiLife® CAL24™ nutritional supplement can be given as opposed to giving a second bolus 12 hours later. Each package contains 100 grams of calcium, a mixture between fast releasing calcium chloride and a slower releasing Calmin. Calmin is a seaweedderived highly available source of calcium and magnesium that is absorbable over time. RumiLife® CAL24™ nutritional supplement is missile shaped and coated which makes it easy for a Jersey or Holstein cow to swallow. RumiLife® CAL24™ nutritional supplement is a calcium supplement suggested by members and made for members. It provides rapid calcium absorption, supplements blood calcium and provides peace of mind. The nutritional supplement is available in boxes of 24 or 60 packages (two boluses per package). Contact your GENEX representative to place an order or for more information, or contact customer service at 888.333.1783. (1) Oetzel, G. 2012. An update on hypocalcemia on dairy farms. Proceedings of the Four‑State Dairy Nutrition & Management Conference. June 13-14. Dubuque, Iowa.
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