Cow Start Complete - THE ONLY CALCIUM BOLUS GIVING 48Hrs OF SUSTAINED CALCIUM. HERE’S What You Need to Know:

WHAT’S ACTUALLY IN IT?

  • Delivers ~ 20% greater calcium payload than other boluses sold in NZ.

  • Contains several sources of calcium salt and Calcareous Marine Algae (CMA) - a natural complex 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 properties.

  • Contains magnesium to enhance calcium absorption.

  • The only bolus in NZ with magnesium and an antioxidant immune support (Vit E and Selenium) system.

THE DATA - BECAUSE FARMERS WANT PROOF.

Firstly, if you want to take a deep dive - it’s all linked below. Cow Start Complete is the end point of an evolution of a calcium bolus platform started by Anchor Life Science in 2017. In that time Anchor Life Science have conducted over 12 on farm trials and published 5 peer reviewed papers into veterinary journals. The results are remarkably consistent:

  • Exceptional performance preventing cases of milk fever and subclinical hypocalcaemia.

  • Cows get back to rumination faster and ruminate more

  • Better energy status post-calving

  • Less metabolic disease

  • Fewer uterine infections

  • Better body condition retention

  • Increased milk production

The 2024 trial data shows treated cows ruminating more minutes per day from day one compared to controls - and that translates directly to better production.

In head-to-head comparisons with standard boluses, Cow Start came out ahead on all the metrics that actually matter: healthier cows, less hassle, more milk. In a large 2025 study against cows that were given a conventional bolus AND a calcium oral fluid product Cow Start Complete still showed better production.

Milk fever and subclinical hypocalcaemia are a real pain at calving. Farmers have enough on their plate without cows going down or performing poorly because their calcium levels are tanking. The graphic below shows you what can happen to a cows’ blood calcium levels. When cows get milk fever or subclinical hypocalcaemia they dig themselves a bit of a “calcium hole”. Our objective with proactive management (e.g. DCAD, calcium supplementation at calving) is to try to minimise or prevent the hole from forming. Doing so sets the cow up for a great season ahead.

Statistically the greatest risk period for clinical milk fever is around 24 - 48 hrs after calving (2/3rds of cows go down during this time). Subclinical hypocalcaemia typically begins around calving with most cows resolving themselves within 48hrs after calving.

DONE ONCE/DONE RIGHT

One application, job done. With Cow Start Complete you give two boluses as soon as possible after calving and you're sorted. There’s no need to come back 12 hours later for a second dose when you're flat out with other jobs. Time's precious at calving.

Delivers through the full critical period. Cow Start Complete’s calcium delivery runs right through the period when most of your metabolic problems kick in. Most other boluses dissolve fast and only give you ~ 12 hours of coverage, which is why they tell you to dose again. This one's designed to cover the whole danger zone - and that’s particularly useful to cover a cow through her first long night in the colostrum mob.

We understand if you are skeptical when companies promise big returns - fair enough. However the production response here is solid and has been repeated across several different systems - including Irish pastoral systems with cow production very similar to that of NZ. One application after calving, covers the critical 48 hours, and gives cows the best possible start to the season.

Any questions, give us a call. We work with NZ’s leading Veterinary Practices. Between us we’re here to help get the best for of your herd.