Cow Start Complete is a calcium bolus supplement for the reduction of the risk of milk fever & subclinical hypocalcaemia in dairy cows where dietary sources are insufficient to meet an animal’s normal requirements. It is designed to support calcium status, the immune system and the cows energy balance immediately post calving.
Cow Start Complete is NZ’s only calcium bolus requiring a single administration (1 dose = 2 boluses given as soon as possible after calving). A recently published study¹ showed that this raised treated cow’s calcium levels above the hypocalcaemic threshold during the crucial first 48 hours after calving. This gives cows their best possible start for the season. Numerous studies²³⁴⁵ show that Cow Start reduces the risk of metabolic disease, produces a faster recovery of rumination (including more minutes/day), improves cow energy status and increases milk production. In a direct head to head comparison to an established standard bolus, Cow Start treated cows had less uterine infections, less metabolic issues, better energy status, greater body-weight conservation and produced more milk³.
There is no other Calcium bolus like it. The back-bone of Cow Start is Calcareous Marine Algae (Lithoamnium calcareum) which has many proven beneficial properties.
One administration only. Unlike other available calcium boluses there’s no need to repeat the dose, saving farmers time, money and hassles. And with one administration of this product you are doing the job properly.
Sustained calcium delivery (~48 hours). Other calcium boluses dissolve rapidly and only supply ~ 12 hours of calcium⁶⁷⁸. This is why their labels instruct farmers to dose the cow again after 12 or so hours. Cow Start Complete is different because it is delivering calcium for up to 48 hours.
Delivers ~ 20% greater calcium payload than other boluses sold in NZ.
Contains Calcareous Marine Algae (CMA) - a natural source of calcium, magnesium and trace minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine & molybdenum. Studies also show that CMA has positive effects on the rumen & the immune system with known buffering and anti-inflammatory properties⁹.
Contains magnesium to enhance calcium absorption.
The only bolus in NZ with magnesium and an antioxidant immune support (Vit E and Selenium) system.
This bolus has been extensively studied across a number of different production systems and trials have shown the following benefits⁵:
We know farmers get skeptical about animal health companies claiming big returns on pharmaceutical interventions, and that’s fair enough. However the production response is very consistent. It is shown in over 10 on-farm studies Anchor Life Science have conducted to date.
Take a look at cow-collar data from the 2024 trial that shows cows recover their rumination minutes/day faster and ruminate more when they have been given one dose of Cow Start Complete boluses soon after calving (the green line is Cow Start Complete & the orange line is controls not getting any calcium) and look at how this directly translates in their first 90 days production data.
References:
1. Lawlor, J. et al. Animal & Veterinary Sciences 2024, Vol. 12, (6), pp 154-160
2. Lawlor, J. et al. Animal & Veterinary Sciences 2020, Vol. 8, (6), pp. 124-132
3. Lawlor, J. et al. Animal and Veterinary Sciences 2021, Vol. 9 (5): 134-140
4. Lawlor, J. et al. Animal and Veterinary Sciences 2019 Vol. 7, (6), pp. 121–126
5. Fahey, A., Lawlor. J., Cow Start Research Meta-analysis, 2022
6. Wilms, J. et al. Journal of Dairy Research 2022, Vol. 89, (1), pp 29-36
7. Verhoef, W. et al. Veterinary Medicine: Research & Reports 2021, 12, pp 23-32
8. Martinez, N. et al. J. Dairy Sci. 2016, Vol. 99, (10) pp 8397 - 8416
9. Neville, E.W. et al J. Dairy Sci. 2022, Vol. 105, (8) pp 6616 - 6627