When raising cattle, ensuring proper calcium supplementation is crucial for health and productivity. Choosing the right supplement can seem like a daunting task with so many options available online and at feed stores. However, it’s important for farmers to work closely with their veterinarian when selecting the ideal supplement. Here are five key reasons why.
Veterinarians Understand Herd Needs
Every cattle herd has unique management factors that influence calcium requirements, including breed, stage of production, pasture access, and metabolic disorders like milk fever or grass tetany risks. Veterinarians take a whole-herd approach, considering these aspects to tailor the best supplement dose and delivery system for each operation. They stay up-to-date on research and can determine the most suitable calcium source for each situation.
Custom Formulations for Special Needs
Some herds require non-traditional mineral or calcium supplementation formulas. Dairies milking high-producing Holsteins may need higher levels. Younger heifers being flushed may need something different than gestating cows. Herds struggling with consumption or other issues may need reformulated options. Veterinarians have relationships with compounders creating custom-blended supplements for unique veterinary-directed programs.
Evaluate Pasture and Forage Analyses
To determine true calcium needs, vets analyze forage test results indicating calcium levels in pastures and stored feeds. Requirements vary widely depending on geographic mineral compositions. Soil compositions also impact forage mineral density year-to-year. Veterinarians integrate forage analyses, management factors, and herd responses over time into continual supplementation adjustments as needed.
Monitor Health Status and Responses
Veterinary consults allow tracking herd calcium status, health, and productivity metrics to monitor supplement effectiveness. Physical exams and diagnostic samples help identify subclinical deficiencies before clinical problems arise. Laboratories can measure indicators like fecal or blood calcium levels for objective intake evaluations. Veterinarians make evidence-based recommendations if adjustments would further optimize animal well-being or profitability.
Ensure Legal Compliance
State and federal regulations provide guidelines on approved calcium sources and maximum inclusion levels in mineral mixes for food animals. They also forbid medicated supplements in pastures accessible to other livestock, people, or the environment. Veterinarians stay abreast of evolving compliance rules, permitting requirements, and labeling to ensure any calcium supplement programs they design meet legal standards for the safety and marketability of agricultural products.
Common Calcium Supplement for Cows to Buy
Once a veterinarian evaluates individual herd requirements, he/she will tell you what calcium supplement to get. You can buy calcium supplement for cows, however following calcium sources may be appropriate to use for balanced mineral supplementation:
- Calcium carbonate – Inexpensive, readily available but low testing.
- Calcium chloride – highly soluble and covers large land areas but costs more.
- Calcium sulfate – Good compromise between carbonate and chloride.
- Calcium propionate – Readily consumed palatability additive.
- Calcium gluconate – Organic chelated form with high bioavailability.
- Calcium phosphate – High phosphorus content makes it suitable for some life stages.
Conclusion
In summary, consulting a food animal veterinarian during calcium supplement selection leverages credentials, expertise, and whole-herd perspective to establish the safest, most tailored, and legally compliant supplementation protocols for dairy or beef cattle. Overall herd health and productivity benefit substantially through this professional guidance.