Blood Calcium Response to Different Supplementation Strategies
⚠️ Critical Reality: Traditional boluses wear off during the first night, leaving cows completely unprotected through the second night when 67% of cases occur
Baseline (No Treatment)
1 Bolus
2 Boluses
Cow Start Complete
Threshold (2.0 mmol/L)
References
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Goff, J.P. et al. (2020). Serum calcium profile of dairy cows around parturition.
Oetzel, G.R., & Miller, B.E. (2012). Effect of oral calcium bolus supplementation on early-lactation health and milk yield in commercial dairy herds. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(12), 7051-7065.
Roberts, K.I., Bennison, J., & McDougall, S. (2019). Effect of treatment with oral Ca boluses following calving on concentrations of Ca in serum in pasture-based dairy cows. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 67(1), 20-26.
Verhoef, M.L. et al. (2021). Effects of oral calcium supplementation strategies in dairy cows on calcium and magnesium status and health.
Wilms, J. et al. (2021). Effects of 2 oral calcium supplementation protocols and time of first milking on serum calcium concentrations in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows.
Lawlor, J., Neville, E., & Fahey, A. (2024). Can Supplementation with the Cow Start Complete Bolus Result in Elevated Blood Calcium Status in a Group of At-Risk Dairy Cows During the First Four Days of Lactation. Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 12(6), 154-160.