As snow and frigid temperatures remind us that it’s still winter, it’s a good time to remind livestock producers that calves are especially vulnerable in these conditions.
Healthy calves make for productive cows, but frequently sick calves may experience impaired growth and produce less milk during their lifetimes.
The pre-weaning period can be challenging under any circumstances, but extreme weather fluctuations put extra stress on calf immune systems. Additional care must be taken to keep calves healthy and growing during winter. The wealth of advice on this subject can be overwhelming, but there are three basic rules to keep in mind: 1) keep calves warm and dry, 2) make sure calves have enough energy, and 3) don’t forget about hydration (water and electrolytes).
Rule 1: Keep calves warm and dry
The thermoneutral zone is the temperature range in which heat loss equals heat production. For newborn calves, this zone is 50 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. For one-month old calves, the range is 32 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Below these ranges, calves must use extra energy to maintain normal body temperatures.
Calves have a large surface area to body mass ratio, which causes them to lose heat more rapidly than larger animals. Additionally, calves have low body fat reserves. If they are forced to burn what little fat they have to maintain their body temperatures, growth and immune function can be compromised.
Keeping calves warm and dry means minimizing heat loss. Calf hutches should be bedded with enough dry, organic bedding, such as straw, so that calves can nestle for warmth. The straw should be deep enough to cover their legs when they are lying down. Hutches should be positioned in a well-drained area to prevent moisture accumulation. Calf coats may also be used to minimize body heat loss.
Rule 2: Make sure calves have enough energy
“Calves need extra energy during cold weather. Producers may need to add an extra feeding, feed more at each feeding, or increase the fat content of each feeding to meet calves’ maintenance requirements,” said William A. Zimmer, DVM, President of Bio-Vet, Inc. “Calf milk/milk replacer additives such as Gener™ K or Generator™ WS can also provide nutritional and microbial support.”
Rule 3: Don’t forget about hydration
Calves need access to clean, fresh water in every season. Water plays a role in rumen development, and is particularly necessary for maintaining hydration when milk total solids are high.
The occurrence of diarrhea is more likely in winter, and this can result in progressive dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are vital for restoring and maintaining proper fluid levels for scouring calves, and can provide energy to support recovery.
Bio-Vet products like PectiLyte™, Calf GoldLyte® and Calf BYCEPS™ B can be used to supply electrolytes, microbials and nutrients to calves.
Keep a supply of electrolytes available to support hydration during scours outbreaks. Additional water should be provided when electrolytes are mixed with milk or milk replacer. When mixed with water, electrolytes should be fed at least 30 minutes prior to feeding milk or milk replacer.
Bio-Vet is pleased to announce that Christi Keeler, M.S., has joined the company as Business Development Manager-Beef. Christi comes to Bio-Vet with over 20 years of hands-on cattle industry experience in cow/calf, grower, stocker and feedlot production, along with 15 years of sales experience. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Biotechnology and her Master of Science degree in Ruminant Nutrition from Oklahoma State University. She is a member of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) and currently sits on two committees within TSCRA, is a National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Young Cattlemen’s Conference Alumnus, and has held previous positions with Merck Animal Health and Furst-McNess.
Christi’s family has run a ranch in Oklahoma along with an agriculture equipment business since 1965, and she has been actively involved in both her whole life. In her new role at Bio-Vet, Christi will steer efforts to promote the demonstrated benefits of Bio-Vet’s microbial and nutritional products for the beef industry.
“My passion is to provide solutions for beef producers to overcome obstacles that they face. My goals in this position are to make Bio-Vet a recognized name in the beef industry, while bringing science-based products to enhance the overall performance of beef cattle. I am looking forward to expanding Bio-Vet into the beef industry while developing long-term relationships,” said Keeler.
Bio-Vet has launched a new page on Facebook dedicated to beef production. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/Bio-Vet-Inc-Beef-Products-1883136988470634/ to check it out, and look for more beef production tips and content from Bio-Vet in 2019.
New research from the University of California-Davis indicates milk production increases in cows that received 2 doses of QuadriCal® MINI calcium boluses after calving. The study included 1,175 Jersey and Jersey/Holstein cross cattle. Preliminary results, in an article in the Oct. 19 issue of Progressive Dairyman, includes these key findings:
- Milk yield increased by 1.98 pounds per day across all cows over three post-calving milk tests.
- Cows with a previous lactation of more than 338 days and lame cows had significant milk production increases of 4.19 and 3.75 pounds per day, respectively.
- Researchers concluded “postpartum oral supplementation with two doses of 50 to 60 grams of calcium increased serum calcium concentration and reduced the prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia.”
The research was presented at the American Association of Bovine Practitioners conference in September, 2018. For more information, contact your Bio-Vet sales representative or call 1-800-246-8381.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our World Dairy Expo booth. and congratulations to 14 winners of $200 coupons good on their next order of Bio-Vet products. This year’s Expo generated numerous conversations about our company and its products. This success was partly due to the use of a prize wheel, which was very popular. We appreciate your interest!
We look forward to seeing you at World Dairy Expo, October 2-6 in Madison, WI, USA. Our booth is located in the Exhibition Hall, #1503-1504. We have some fun and exciting plans for our booth and prizes, so hope to see you there!
Through August 31, 2018, buy Bio-Vet DFMs and get rebates up to $50/bag; Buy QuadriCal® and get a free stainless steel balling gun*. DFM rebates are on retail purchases of Generator™ ELITE, Generator™ ULTRA and ProP169® for Dairy, all sizes and formulations. Rebates must be submitted no later than Oct. 1, 2018, to qualify for payment. See your Bio-Vet dealer or sales representative, or call 1-800-246-8381 for details. *Minimum purchase of QuadriCal® applies to balling gun offer. Restrictions apply.
Bio-Vet Direct Fed Microbials support appetite, digestive health and productivity in hot weather. BUY THRU AUG. 31, 2018 AND GET REBATES UP TO $50 PER BAG. Good on retail purchases of Generator™ ELITE, Generator™ ULTRA and ProP169® for Dairy, all sizes and formulations. Restrictions apply. Rebates must be submitted no later than Oct. 1, 2018, to qualify for payment. See your Bio-Vet dealer or sales representative, or call 1-800-246-8381 for details.
To everyone who works in or depends on the dairy industry, and to all of our dairy customers and friends, thank you from all of us at Bio-Vet! Happy June Dairy Month!
Bio-Vet, Inc. has expanded its equine products line with three new products and a new size of Equine Generator™. Bio-Vet’s equine line now includes:
Equine digestive trouble is common and products containing beneficial bacteria and nutrients help support healthy digestion and maximize nutrient absorption. Bio-Vet’s equine products contain live, beneficial microbials, yeast and enzymes to support the digestive process, appetite and feed utilization, as well as biotin for healthy coats and hooves.
Equine Generator™ is recommended for daily feeding for all horses. Equine CPR™ contains higher levels of microbials and nutrients for extra support during periods of performance, stress and transition.
Equine Gener-Gel™ and Equine CPR™ pastes can also be used to support health and digestion during performance and challenge periods, and are especially useful while travelling, to support foal health at birth and during weaning, or for horses that are off feed or receiving veterinary therapy.
Cows receiving QuadriCal® calcium boluses showed improved milk production and health benefits amounting to an 8:1 ROI. Research conducted by Cornell University and DHMS LLC, based on statistically significant results from 3,949 cows studied, the estimated economic return of supplementing all cows 2nd lactation or older totals $44.00 per cow. With a $5.50 per feeding QuadriCal cost, this would result in an 8:1 Return on Investment.
Research citation: Cornell/DHMS study results presented at ADSA, AABP 2017. Data on file at Bio-Vet, Inc.
Cows receiving QuadriCal® calcium boluses showed improved milk production in studies conducted by Dairy Health and Management Services in New York. Both heifers and cows (second lactation and older) produced more milk per day than control animals after one feeding of QuadriCal® post-calving in all statistically significant analyses. These trials included a large sample size of 3,949 animals.
Leno, B.M. et al. “Differential effect of a single dose of oral Ca based on postpartum plasma Ca concentration in Holstein cows.” Cornell University Animal Science Department and Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences Department, College of Veterinary Medicine. Dairy Health and Management Services, LLC, Lowville NY. Presented at ADSA, Pittsburgh PA, June 2017 and AABP, Omaha NE, September 2017.
As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day Nov. 23, we give thanks for the incredible bounty produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers that puts food on dinner tables around the world. Thanks to all of you from Bio-Vet!
Cows receiving QuadriCal® calcium boluses showed improved milk production in studies conducted by Cornell University and private researchers. The results showed that both heifers and cows (second lactation and greater) fed one feeding of QuadriCal® after calving produced more pounds of milk per day than control animals in all statistically significant analyses. These trials included a large sample size of 3,949 animals.
The results were presented at the American Dairy Science Assn conference in June and the American Assn of Bovine Practitioners conference in September. For more information, contact Bio-Vet at 1-800-246-8381, or email to bvorders@bio-vet.com
ADSA, AABP 2017.
Now get QuadriCal® calcium boluses at 1/2 OFF the regular price when you buy RumenAider® or 'O' RumenAider® cattle capsules. This offer is good through World Dairy Expo October 7, 2017.
RumenAider® and QuadriCal® are the best post-calving protocol on the market today, now AT HUGE SAVINGS! Give your fresh cows the calcium (50+ grams per feeding) and nutritional support they need after calving, with QuadriCal® boluses and RumenAider® capsules.
Now through July 31, when you purchase Generator™ ULTRA, Generator ELITE or ProP169® for Dairy, you'll earn rebates of up to $65 per bag. Bio-Vet Direct Fed Microbials help cows beat the summer heat with high levels of lactic acid bacteria and live cell yeast, which help maintain feed intake during hot weather. See your local Bio-Vet dealer or sales representative for more details, or call 1-800-246-8381.
To everyone whose livelihood depends on the dairy industry, we hope you enjoy June Dairy Month! To all of our dairy customers and friends, thank you from all of us at Bio-Vet!
Bacterial inoculants are a key part of successful silage fermentation. The forage moisture content, fineness and type of chop, exclusion of oxygen, the carbohydrate content of the forage, and the bacterial populations present on the forage, are also important factors. Bacterial inoculants have been shown to provide a significant economic benefit to making high quality silage. Now through June 30, Bio-Vet is offering a 4% discount on FermenAider™ silage inoculants. See your Bio-Vet dealer or sales representative for details, or call us at 1-800-246-8381.
A big "thank you" to those folks who visited us at various farm shows and events this winter and spring. We appreciate your business and wish you good luck during the busy spring planting season.
Join us this week at Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls, SD, booth #345, or the WPS Farm Show in Oshkosh, WI, in hangar D, booth #6569. Sign up at either booth for your chance to win a Fresh Cow product package, including RumenAider® cattle capsules and QuadriCal® calcium boluses (plus a balling gun!), or a Healthy Calf package with Gener K milk additive, Gener-Cap calf capsules and Calf BYCEPS 'B' Neonatal Calf Supplement. One lucky winner will be drawn each day!
Check out what's new from Bio-Vet at these trade shows in March: PDPW Business Conference and the WPS Farm Show in Wisconsin, Central Plains Dairy Expo in South Dakota, and the NOFA-New York organic farming conference March 16-17 in Syracuse. Click on the 'EVENTS' link at the bottom of the page for more details.
Bio-Vet, Inc. is introducing 2 new products, including a paste formula of Calf BYCEPS B, a neonatal calf supplement, plus 3 new package sizes.
Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) final rules officially became effective January 1, 2017. Under the new regulations, many antibiotics previously available in over-the-counter products now require veterinary oversight.
To navigate the new regulations, producers may need to work more closely with their veterinarians to continue their same feed protocols. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration website outlines the key elements of a VCPR and additional pertinent VFD information at www.fda.gov.
Producers may want to consider removing products containing antibiotics from animal feeding protocols where the use of such products is now restricted. The opportunity to evaluate the use of antibiotics in food animal production may lead producers to use products that promote overall animal health, rather than target specific illnesses.
“Taking the time to evaluate the effectiveness of current feeding protocols can result in improved efficiency in management practices,” said William A. Zimmer, DVM, President of Bio-Vet, Inc. “Microbial and nutritional supplements support animal health and are also versatile enough to complement existing protocols.”
For more information, contact your local Bio-Vet sales representative or dealer, or call 1-800-246-8381.
Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) final rules that must be implemented next year will change the way feed-grade antibiotics are used in animal production.
Under the new regulations, which become effective January 1, 2017, many antibiotics previously available in over-the-counter products will require veterinary oversight and a veterinary feed directive for use. Extra-label use of antibiotics for growth and feed efficiency purposes will be disallowed.
To navigate the new regulations, producers may need to work more closely with their veterinarians to establish veterinarian-client-patient relationships (VCPR). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration website outlines the key elements of a VCPR and additional pertinent VFD information at www.fda.gov.
Ensuring animal health is always a priority for producers, who may consider removing products containing antibiotics from animal feeding protocols where the use of such products may now be restricted. While no replacements for antibiotics exist, the opportunity to evaluate the use of antibiotics in food animal production may lead producers to use products that promote overall animal health.
“Taking the time to evaluate the effectiveness of current feeding protocols can result in improved efficiency in management practices,” said William A. Zimmer, DVM, President of Bio-Vet, Inc. “Microbial and nutritional supplements support animal health and are also versatile enough to complement existing protocols.”
Animals experience significant stress during challenging periods, which disrupts healthy microbial activity in the digestive tract. When this occurs, pathogens can develop, and animals become more susceptible to disease. Microbial products support animal health at birth, and throughout challenging periods, by populating the intestine with beneficial bacteria to aid healthy immune function.
If your calves aren’t quite ready to face the New Year, Bio-Vet can help. With beneficial microbials, vitamins, chelated minerals and other goodies, Bio-Vet calf products support growth and health beginning at birth and all the way through highly challenging periods such as diarrhea, weaning and shipping. Click on the Calves tab above, or contact your local Bio-Vet representative or dealer, for more details. If you don't, maybe your calves will for you.
The Western Organic Dairy Producers Conference is October 26-27 in Grand Mound, WA. If you're there, sign up for our drawing for a $250 discount coupon good for any Bio-Vet Organic products. Bio-Vet is participating in this conference as an exhibitor for the first time, as well as sponsoring a coffee break on Wed. Oct. 26. Please stop by and meet our sales representatives, Steve Vance and Becky Terry.
Bio-Vet is sponsoring three PDPW Calf Care Connection workshops on Oct. 18, 19, and 20, from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. These workshops are designed to challenge the most seasoned calf care managers, calf feeders and other team members that work alongside young stock and newborn calves. Dates and locations for the training sessions are:
For more information or to register, visit pdpw.org or call PDPW at 800-947-7379.
Bio-Vet, Inc., has introduced three new balling guns made from a combination of durable stainless steel and PVC components. The new applicators may be used to easily administer QuadriCal® calcium boluses, as well as most adult cattle boluses, capsules or magnets.
Key features include a rounded metal tip with smooth edges, which is safer for cows. A flexible rubber insert retains boluses in the barrel until positioned properly.
The three new balling guns are:
They also have a hollow plunger design that allows the balling gun to double as a drencher for applying oral liquids. The guns are manufactured by Bio-Vet, Inc. in Wisconsin, and are available through Bio-Vet sales representatives, dealers and suppliers, or from the company.
Cows receiving QuadriCal® had total serum calcium levels about 10% higher than initial levels for about 12 hours in a recent field trial. After 12 hours, the total serum calcium level slowly decreased back to about 5% higher than initial levels by 24 hours after the QuadriCal® dose was given. This timing coincides with recommendations to administer a second dose of QuadriCal® about 12 hours after the initial dose.
This study was conducted in a large, commercial dairy in Utah. Cows were housed in a free stall barn and fed a total mixed ration. All animals were fed a negative DCAD ration precalving. All cows included in the study were in their second lactation or older.
For more information, or to obtain a summary of the field trial, contact your local Bio-Vet sales representative, or call 1-800-246-8381.
800-246-8381
Hours/Horas:
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM CST
Monday/Lunes through Friday/Viernes