Fresh Cow Support: Calcium Deficiency After Calving

Calcium plays a vital role in the health of cows and is a key nutrient in fresh cow support. From managing milk fever in dairy cows to increasing milk production, calcium supplements for cows can be greatly beneficial. Let’s dive deeper into the role of calcium in fresh cow management.

A fresh cow is a dairy cow that has recently given birth. Post-calving is a critical time for dairy cows, especially within the first 24-72 hours.

These first 24-72 hours will determine the health, milk production and fertility of the dairy cow for the rest of the cow’s lactation, thus affecting profitability.

Poor fresh cow support can impact your herd’s long-term performance and your bottom line. To ensure your cows – and your wallet – are set up for success, it’s important to transition cow nutrition during this time by incorporating a calcium supplement for dairy cows.

Post-calving, calcium demand immediately spikes. Due to the sudden increase in calcium demand at the onset of lactation, calcium is pulled out of the cow’s blood faster than the cow can replace it. If your cows do not have enough calcium, it can affect their:

• Muscle function
• Nerve signaling
• Milk letdown

Knowing the signs of calcium deficiency is crucial to getting your fresh cows back to peak health as soon as possible. Key symptoms to watch for include:

• Shaking
• Weakness
• Poor appetite
• Drop in milk production

Calcium deficiency can also lead to health risks for your cows. Keep an eye out for these conditions, as they can be detrimental to your cows’ well-being.

If you suspect your cow may have calcium deficiency, a calcium supplement for cows can help replenish their calcium levels. Some of the best calcium supplements for cows include the following forms of calcium:

When it’s time to buy calcium supplements for cows, you’ll want to consider the following factors in your decision:

• Calcium Source: Determine whether calcium chloride, calcium propionate or calcium lactate is the right choice for you.
• Herd Size: Different calcium supplements are better for larger-frame and smaller-frame cows.
• Calving Frequency: Frequent calving requires calcium to be readily available to meet the sudden increase in demand at the onset of lactation. If you know your cows will be calving frequently, it is important to keep a high-absorption supplement on hand.
• Risk Level for Milk Fever: Due to the severe nature of milk fever, you’ll need a fast and effective dairy cow calcium supplement.
• Delivery Methods: There are different types of oral calcium for cows. Determine which administration method will be better for your herd.
  • • Calcium bolus for cows (calcium pills for cows)
    • Calcium gels
    • IV injections
• Production Systems: Conventional versus organic production systems can make a difference in which calcium supplements you can give your cows. Organic production systems have stronger regulations for which products can be used in your organic operation.

Bio-Vet is here to support you and your herd. With a variety of calcium supplements for cows, Bio-Vet makes fresh cow management simple and worry-free. Find the one that’s right for you!

Pro-Tip: For a premium post-calving combination, feed QuadriCal® + Yeast in conjunction with RumenAider® cattle capsules, Bio-Vet’s nutritional/microbial supplement for cattle.

*Always verify with your organic certifying agency that products may be used in your organic operation.