Bottom line, SCH results in reduced feed consumption and lowered milk production, which directly impacts your dairy’s productivity and profitability. (Brooks, 2020)

According to Donna Amaral-Philips, University of Kentucky Extension Dairy Specialist, financial losses to subclinical hypocalcemia average approximately $125 per affected cow. (Amaral-Philips)

SCH is much more common than most dairy producers realize. According to Jesse Goff, Iowa State University Professor and Dairy Veterinarian, subclinical hypocalcemia occurs in nearly half of all cows during the first 24 hours after calving. (Reinhardt, et al., 2011)

Preventing hypocalcemia is worth the money you put into it.

Goff (Goff, 2008) recommends four preventative measures for dairy producers to consider:

  1. Reduce prefresh diet potassium.
  2. Add anions to the diet.
  3. Bind the diet calcium for at least 10 days before calving.
  4. Provide a readily available (soluble) calcium source to the cow immediately after calving.

DRENCH-MATE has 3 highly cost-effective soluble calcium products for preventing hypocalcemia in your fresh cows: Drench-Mate Drench, Cal-Mate Fresh Cow Bolus, and Cal-Mate CP Fresh Cow Bolus.

Let us be part of your SCH Preventative Solution today!

 

Adapted Article Link: Rhonda Brooks, Dairy Herd Management

Dairy Herd Article: “Subclinical Hypocalcemia Costs $125 per Affected Cow. Here are 4 Steps to Prevent It.”

Original Author Link: Donna M. Amaral-Phillips, University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky Article: “Subclinical Hypocalcemia, or Milk Fever, in Dairy Cows – Why All the Fuss?”

Additional Link: Jesse Goff, Iowa State University, Veterinary Journal Article

Veterinary Journal Article: Prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy herds.

 

References:
Amaral-Phillips, Donna M. “Subclinical Hypocalcemia, or Milk Fever, in Dairy Cows – Why All the Fuss?” University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Department of Animal & Food Sciences, link.
Brooks, Rhonda. “Subclinical Hypocalcemia Costs $125 Per Affected Cow. Here Are 4 Steps To Prevent It.” Dairyherd.com, 22 Oct. 2020, link.
Goff, J.P., 2008. The monitoring, prevention, and treatment of milk fever and subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows. The Veterinary Journal 176, 50–57.
Timothy A. Reinhardt, John D. Lippolis, Brian J. McCluskey, Jesse P. Goff, Ronald L. Horst, 2011. Prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy herds. The Veterinary Journal 188, 122–124.