 |
Datasheet for the new Starter “Plus” formulation.
Formulation Change The following Improvements to the formulation of Starter “Plus” have been made.
The essential qualities of Starter “Plus” have been maintained and in some cases improved.
Starter “Plus” is a nutritional product assisting cows over the transitional period at calving time. It is energy rich and contains the essential elements required at calving time, and stimulates appetite. Most cows experience some degree of metabolic crisis following calving. The negative energy balance often leads to milk fever (hypocalcaemia) and / or ketosis (acetonaemia). It is a very useful product for supportive therapy for sick cows that are not eating. Drenching with Starter “Plus” will not only boost the cow’s calcium levels, it will:
Veterinarian Dr Ian Livingstone says that dosing all cows including heifers is beneficial with Starter “Plus”. “Don’t just dose the older cows – dose the lot”. What does New Starter “Plus” contain and why? Calcium chloride and Precipitated Calcium Carbonate Supplemental calcium helps the cow cope with the sudden and massive increase in calcium output with the onset of lactation. Boosting calcium levels helps prevent milk fever and allows time for the intestine and bone to adapt to the calcium demands of lactation. Magnesium Oxide Magnesium aids in stimulating the active absorption of calcium via Parathyroid Hormone and Vitamin D stimulation. The magnesium in Starter “Plus” given following calving will therefore help overcome the metabolic crisis in addition to ensuring the cow’s high magnesium requirement is met. The magnesium oxide used in Starter “Plus” is Vetmag Ultrafine which is a highly refined and reactive magnesium oxide of 97 to 98% purity. Mono-Propylene Glycol (MPG) MPG is a glucose precursor that gives an insulin response and reduces back-fat mobilisation for ketone production. This reduces appetite depression and improves the energy balance. MPG is absorbed directly into the bloodstream and used by the liver in the energetic pathways. A glucose peak occurs 30 minutes after drenching and this is thought to be a key factor in the protective effect against ketosis and in preventing weight loss after calving. Molasses Molasses increases palatability and buffers against the caustic nature of calcium chloride. It also provides the rumen microbes with a simple form of carbohydrate to stimulate rumen fermentation and therefore cow appetite. The molasses provides a medium term energy source peaking within a few hours of administration. By-Pass fat By-Pass fat travels directly to the intestine of the cow to be available for digestion and absorption. Like MPG, the By-Pass fat reduces the mobilisation of body reserves and helps to correct the energy imbalance that occurs following calving. By-Pass fat is digested in the intestine and provides a longer term energy source peaking several hours after administration. Soya bean Oil Soya bean oil is a polyunsaturated fat that has a high energy content and very low viscosity. The use of added fats is well recognised as a means of increasing the energy content of the diet without having a negative effect on feed intake and appetite. Low levels of unsaturated oils will have no negative effects on rumen function or microbial populations unlike high levels which can inhibit microbial functioning. The low viscosity soya bean oil, combined with molasses, gives a smooth free-flowing product that has improved viscosity at lower temperatures resulting in a product that is easier to use on those cold winter mornings. Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that is made by rumen microbes converting cobalt to Vitamin B12 which the animal itself cannot make. Vitamin B12 is used as co-factor in a wide variety of metabolic processes including, importantly, the conversion of propionic acid to succinate which then enters the Krebs Cycle to produce cellular energy. A deficiency in B12 will reduce the rate of propionate clearance giving rise to appetite depression. In cobalt deficient areas, a depressed appetite resulting from a subclinical B12 deficiency will place further stress on a calving cow with the huge energy demands required from her. Many cows are on the knife edge at this point in terms of reduced appetite and having to mobilize body reserves for energy production with the potential to fall into a downward spiral resulting in ketosis. Supplemental Vitamin B12 will ensure this aspect of energy metabolism is supported, giving the cow the best chance to move forward into a productive season. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Vitamin B1is an essential vitamin required daily by all ruminants. It plays an important role in helping the body metabolise carbohydrates and fat to produce energy. It is essential for normal growth and development and helps to maintain proper functioning of the heart, nervous, and digestive systems. Vitamin B1 is water soluble and cannot be stored in the body, however, once absorbed; the vitamin is concentrated in muscle tissue. It is a very useful addition when Starter “Plus” is used as supportive therapy for sick cows that aren’t eating. Chromium propionate Chromium is a micro-nutrient that is known to function as a co-factor for insulin and is involved in the metabolism of glucose which is the prime energy source for cells. It has been called a glucose tolerance factor because it assists in the uptake of glucose and the partitioning of glucose to fat or muscle. The energy partitioning effect of chromium has seen it being used as a supplement to increase protein deposition and reduce fat in both humans and animals. Chromium has been shown to be useful in situations of stress, by enhancing the immune response and is recommended for use in diets in transition cows. Chromium may improve somatic cell counts and udder health. The humoral and cell-mediated immune response can be positively affected by chromium supplementation. |
||
 |
