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BOVASOL

Liquid Additive

for Milk Fed Calves

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BOVASOL

Liquid Additive for Milk Fed Calves

BOVASOL PROVIDES EARLY GROWTH PROMOTION WITH COCCIDIAL PROTECTION PLUS ADDITIONAL VITAMIN FORTIFICATION

THE NECESSITY FOR ‘IN-MILK’ SUPPLEMENTATION WITH BOVASOL

BOVASOL liquid milk supplement contains Bovatec for coccidial protection.

Eliminating broad spectrum antibiotics from calf management is essential. These compounds seriously decrease microbial digestion, leading to reduced feed intake and delayed rumen development. However a clear difference must be made between broad spectrum anti-microbials and compounds such as Bovatec (lasalocid) which work post ruminally in the intestine of the animal. The supplementation of milk with these and other products ensures their passage through the developing rumen directly into the intestines via the oesophageal groove reflex. This groove is small channel in the rumen wall that is controlled by muscles which allow liquids to bypass the rumen.

Early weaning of calves can be beneficial to today's dairy producer as it reduces the need for expensive milk or milk replacer.

Starting calves early on solid feed will also reduce mortality rates.

However, no mater how palatable individual calf starter meals may be many calves do not eat sufficient medicated feed even by four weeks of age to provide them with an adequate degree of protection against adverse micro- organisms

BOVATEC^â(Lasalocid)

Bovatec is anit-coccidial

Coccidiosis is a disease of animals caused by Eimeria species, microscopic single cell parasites of the intestine.

No matter what herd size you have protecting your animals against coccidiosis is important.

In many cases producers don't see sub‑clinical coccidiosis, which robs the animal of the nutrients and water necessary for proper growth and feed efficiency. Calves with mild coccidiosis, which may last only a few days, show watery diarrhoea with little or no blood. Animals, which recover from these mild infections, regain normal condition slowly and often perform poorly afterwards.

Cattle infected with coccidia can infect other cattle thus perpetuating this costly disease. When it reaches the acute stage, coccidiosis costs more in severely impaired health, performance and even mortality. Animals with severe coccidiosis may develop bloody diarrhoea, which may continue for 3‑4 days to a week or more.

Lasalocid the active ingredient in Bovatec kills the Eimeria organisms early in their cycle so that they cannot reproduce and cause damage to the intestines.

Figure 1 ‑ Coccidial Life Cycle.

An experiment at Queensland University revealed that calves did not eat sufficient dry starter feed to obtain the protective level of lasalocid against coccidial infection (1 mg/kg/bodyweight/day) until 37 days of age. 'in milk' supplementation achieved this level of protection immediately.

The beneficial effects of 'in milk' supplementation of Bovatec on the weight gain of calves up to 35 days of age was also clearly evident from the Queensland study.

Lasalocid acts by initiating an ionic imbalance of potassium and sodium ions within the parasite causing it to rupture. Research at Queensland University revealed that Bovatec is very effective against the two most common pathogenic species of coccidia, Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernia.

Bovatec provides:

Ø       Coccidiosis protection from the first feeding.

Ø       Protection against intestinal damage for greater nutrient absorption.

Ø       Development of natural immunity against coccidiosis.

Ø       Optimal utilization of forages and concentrates for enhanced growth when the rumen is fully functional at 8 to 10 weeks.

BOVATEC ALSO AIDS IN RUMINAL DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG CALVES

Supplementing dairy calf starter diets with Bovatec aids rumen development due to:

Ø       Higher rumen bacterial counts. 

Ø       Higher volatile fatty acid concentrations.

Ø       Higher rumen ammonia concentration.

Ø       Lower ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid.

All the above features are indicators of rumen development.

An American experiment revealed the effect of Bovatec on bodyweight and feed intake. (See table 1 below).

TABLE 1

1    Average of four weeks.       a     Weights greater than control (P<.1) except week 6.       b    Weights greater at week 9 (P<. 1); 10 and 11 (P<.05); 12 (P<.01).      c    Weights greater than control (0<.1)

Anderson, et.al(1988). Performance and ruminal changes of early weaned calves fed lasalocid. J. Anim. Sci. 66:806.

Rapidly growing calves fed on high energy starter rations with limited dietary fibre are to all intents and purposes feedlot cattle. Such feeding systems require Bovatec to control acidosis and bloat.

'In feed' supplementation with Bovatec maintains coccidial control at weaning ‑ it carries on when in ‘in milk' supplementation with Bovasol finishes. In contrast to other anti‑coccidial agents Bovatec does not affect the palatability of calf starter meals.

VITAMIN FORTIFICATION

In addition to the compound Bovatec, Bovasol also contains high levels of vitamins.

Ø       Fat Soluble: The vitamin A, D, E & Beta Carotene concentrations in whole milk are low. These vitamins are found in grains and forages. Additional fortification is required until calves have a functional rumen to consume and utilize grain and forages. 

Ø       Water Soluble: Vitamins B1, B6 & B1 2 plus Niacin & Biotin are not synthesised by the young calf until its rumen is fully developed. The 13‑vitamins act primarily by assisting enzyme activity in the breakdown and absorption of proteins, carbohydrates and fat. Extra water soluble vitamins are important during the first 6‑8 weeks.

Ø       Vitamin C: Vitamin C is often referred to as one of the "protective vitamins". Vitamin C is involved in controlling the synthesis of glucocorticoids in the adrenal gland. The protective effects of Vitamin C may be due to the reduction of glucocorticoids which suppress the immune response.

BOVASOL

Ø       Provides early protection by providing the correct dosage of 1 mg of lasalocid per kilogram of bodyweight from day 1.

Ø       Assures correct Lasalocid dosage level before dry feed consumption can provide an effective dose level, usually at 4 weeks 

Ø       Has good mixability in whole milk or reconstituted milk replacer.

Ø       Reduces morbidity rate when coccidial challenge is present.

For best results follow the Rabar Pty Ltd calf rearing program.

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