Paste offers milk fever protection

DOSING COWS at calving with a paste containing two calcium salts and a molasses energy boost gave 95% protection against milk fever in Danish trials on one product

The incidence of clinical milk fever was reduced from 22% to 3%, said vet Nicolai Agger of Botonic Calcium manufacturer Pharmalett. The number of relapses reported was 0% in cows treated with Botonic Calcium compared with 3% for control animals.

Dr Agger said predictions are that every 650kg rise in milk yield will lead to a 1% rise in milk fever.