Proper calcium source and phosphorus make StartLac Tablet a success

Within a cow’s production cycle, there are several critical moments. The transition period is one of the most important keys to a successful lactation. Especially the days around calving present the biggest challenges for the cow: 75% of all health challenges are linked to this period. To help a cow get through this period as healthily as possible, AHV has developed the AHV StartLac Tablet. In this article, we would like to tell you more about the results of the StartLac Tablet and explain why certain products and ingredients do or do not work. 

The period before calving requires support and guidance, but the focus of this article is mainly on the moment after calving. Immediately after calving, your dairy cow has a dip in phosphorus and calcium. Calcium has received a lot of attention in this context for decades, but the importance of phosphorus remains underexposed. However, phosphorus is crucial for calcium absorption and its storage in the cow’s skeleton. Administering calcium has an impact, but if the wrong calcium source is used, it only causes a short spike. This can make the cow lethargic. As a result, she will eat less and is less triggered to take up minerals herself from the feed. It is therefore important to look for the right calcium source.

What is the best source of calcium after calving?

At AHV, all products and programs are aimed at supporting the cow, but ultimately empowering it to tackle the challenge itself. Therefore, administering a high dose of calcium without stimulating calcium metabolism does not fit with our philosophy. In the graph below, you can see that a cow enters a calcium dip immediately after calving. To overcome this dip, AHV StartLac Tablet ensures that there is readily available calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

The acute calcium and phosphorus dip is first addressed with the rapidly absorbable calcium phosphate (Verhoef et al., 2023). Next, calcium pidolate stimulates the formation of proteins that facilitate the transport of calcium. It ensures that the feed is easily absorbed and bound into the bloodstream from the intestines. Phosphate aids metabolism while high doses of Vitamin D3 promote absorption of both calcium from feed, bones and intestines. This improves muscle function, leading to better rumen function. The cow continues to eat, thus preventing itself from going into another dip. This ultimately results in a more productive and healthier cow.

Figure 1: Influence of AHV StartLac Tablet on blood-calcium concentration after calving

What do phosphorus, magnesium and calcium pidolate mean for your dairy cow?

The correct composition of the right source and amount of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium have a lot of impact on your cow’s health. It provides:

• Improved rumen function allowing better absorption of calcium. Calcium in the blood is necessary to ensure optimal muscle function. Besides a good start-up, this contributes to a more constant and better transition period.

• Better contraction of the uterus. This has a positive impact on cleaning up the uterus faster. This not only has a positive effect immediately after calving, but also has a great influence on fertility. The better your cow cleans up, the faster the cow can be inseminated.

• Better contraction of the teat sphincter of the udder. This reduces the chance for bacteria to enter the udder and decreases the likelihood of milk leaks and udder health problems. 

Administering calcium orally or by infusion to your cow?

Besides choosing the right calcium source, it is also important to look at the method of administration. Figure 2 shows the difference between a calcium infusion (dark green) and administering an oral calcium supplement (light green). The oral calcium supplement consisted of one bolus with a fat layer of a mixture of CaCl2 and CaSO4 administered around calving (43 g of calcium), followed by a second bolus 12 hours later. Despite the fact that this calcium bolus did not have phosphorus which, according to AHV’s view, is necessary, a clear difference can be observed in the short term.

The infusion gives a short and high peak in calcium content, but then drops far below the required amount of 75 mg/L. The calcium bolus shows a slight peak but remains much more constant in terms of the calcium content present. However, it is important to mention here that, as indicated earlier, the right composition of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium must be used. This is not just to provide temporary support, but to stimulate the cow to keep eating and/or boost its metabolism. If this is not done, the cow still has a chance of building up (subclinical) hypocalcaemia a few days after calving.

Dr. Garrett Oetzel. Extrapolated of Blanc et al., Journal of Dairy Science, 97:6901, 2014. (https://www.merckvetmanual.com/metabolic-disorders/disorders-of-calcium-metabolism/parturient-paresis-in-cows#Prevention_v3282052)

Figure 2: difference between administering calcium by infusion and orally

Not quantity, but right calcium source gives success!

The above explanation is reinforced by recent clinical comparative research conducted by an AHV vet. Blood was taken from 31 cows immediately after calving, after which they were given one of three different calcium supplements. It was then measured again four days later whether the blood calcium level was at a desired level. The results were very clear (figure 3; The green bar represents AHV StartLac Tablet and the dark blue and light blue bars represent two oral calcium supplements from the market).

At the time of calcium bolus administration (T0 Ca), calcium levels were low in the cows, and in the AHV group, calcium levels were even lowest (shown in green). After 96 hours (T1 Ca), all measured values were within acceptable values. The values in the AHV group had increased the most. Herein, we clearly see that despite a lower percentage of calcium present in the AHV Tablet, an equivalent and even higher percentage of calcium is detectable in the blood after four days.

This underlines the AHV vision, which is not just about the amount of calcium, but rather the best calcium source combined with sufficient phosphorus.  

Figure 3: Calcium levels of AHV StartLac Tablet (green) and two competing products (dark blue and light blue) at the time of administration and after four days after administration. The dotted lines represent the lower and upper ‘normal values’ for blood calcium.

Advice around calving

AHV’s advice is to administer AHV StartLac tablet immediately after calving and repeat this after 12 hours to support the cow with sufficient and readily available magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3. StartLac is a dietetic feed for dairy cows that can be used to support cows during the production start-up and for the reduction of the risk of milk fever and subclinical calcium deficiency (hypocalcaemia).

We also recommend giving the Metri Tablet and an Aspi Tablet immediately after calving. The Metri Tablet improves uterine hygiene and stimulates the release of the placenta. AHV Aspi is also recommended to ensure a faster recovery process and makes the cow feel at ease. Aspi supports tissue blood flow, supports the immune system during recovery periods and promotes the cow’s overall well-being. As a result, she is quicker to return to the feed fence after calving. In addition, reduced stress reduces adrenaline production. Adrenaline is the counterpart of Oxytocin, which is important for uterine contractions, the release of the afterbirth and milk shedding. AHV Aspi also contributes positively to this. 

Sources

Verhoef, W., Sjoert Zuidhof, Ross, J. A., Beaugrand, K., & Olson, M. (2023). Evaluation of a novel dipotassium phosphate bolus for treatment of metabolic disorders in dairy cattle. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1274183

Proactive AHV Transition and Uterine Health & Fertility Protocol

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AHV Booster Tablet

14 days before calving

AHV Metri Tablet

Immediately after calving

AHV StartLac

Immediately after calving

AHV Aspi Tablet

Immediately after calving

AHV Booster Tablet

7 days after calving