IMPROVES ENERGY STATUS

Cows store energy in adipose fat tissue reserves, easily seen in cows with higher body condition scores. In early lactation, in response to negative energy balance, cows mobilize their energy reserves by breaking down this fat in their liver. This process creates ketones, such as Beta Hydroxy Butyrate (BHBA). A higher level of BHBA indicates the cow is breaking down more of her fat reserves. A lower circulating BHBA level is preferable as it indicates a cow in better energy status.

Cow Start cows have consistently shown significantly lower milk BHBA scores, indicating they have a better energy status. This leads to less body weight loss and quicker body condition score recovery early in lactation.

References:

  1. Fahey, A., Lawlor. J., Cow Start Research Meta-analysis, 2022

  2. Lawlor et al., “Effect of Cow Start Bolus Supplementation on Early Lactation Health and Performance Indicators in a Group of Older, At-Risk Dairy Cows”, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 9(5): 134-140. 2021

  3. J. Lawlor, A. Fahey, E. Neville, A. Stack, and F. Mulligan, “On-farm Safety and Efficacy Trial of Cow Start Calcium Bolus,” Anim. Vet. Sci., vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 121–126, 2019.

  4. Lawlor, J., Fahey, A., Neville, E., Stack, A., and Mulligan, F. “Effect of Cow Start Calcium Bolus on Metabolic Status and Milk Production in Early Lactation”, Anim Vet Sci., vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 124-132, 2020.