Iodine and strong bulling

[Devon lad]

in the last few years our spring calvers certainly haven’t been bulling as strong and Not rubbing off tail paint no where near as good as they used to. So much that I’m probably going to change to scratch cards. In the same time I’ve changed our teat spray to non-iodine from iodine in the same period as the teat condition is better and milk out times quicker, particularly as there peaking in may which co-insides with mating. Has anyone ever added iodine to give better stronger bulling, I’ve herd of herds doing so in NZ but to do it with caution as too much can harden ovaries. I’m thinking of going back to iodine particularly before/during mating. Any thoughts? TIA

 

[Headless chicken]

in the last few years our spring calvers certainly haven’t been bulling as strong and Not rubbing off tail paint no where near as good as they used to. So much that I’m probably going to change to scratch cards. In the same time I’ve changed our teat spray to non-iodine from iodine in the same period as the teat condition is better and milk out times quicker, particularly as there peaking in may which co-insides with mating. Has anyone ever added iodine to give better stronger bulling, I’ve herd of herds doing so in NZ but to do it with caution as too much can harden ovaries. I’m thinking of going back to iodine particularly before/during mating. Any thoughts? TIA

surely better off with an iodine bolus?

 

[Beef farmer]

surely better off with an iodine bolus?

Why? Iodine mixed 50:50 with water down their backs cost pence and is quick and easy. Bolus would be £3? And the time... I can iodine 300 quicker than you would bolus 20

 

[Beef farmer]

@Devon lad how low where your levels on bloods? Were on this wkend chucking some iodine on the cows. Be the 4th time since late June early July. Our levels where at .48 which means nowt to me, but is exceptionally low, probably need to re do bloods to see if what we've done has/is working!

 

[Headless chicken]

Why? Iodine mixed 50:50 with water down their backs cost pence and is quick and easy. Bolus would be £3? And the time... I can iodine 300 quicker than you would bolus 20

Valid comment. What sort of iodine do you use?

 

[Devon lad]

@Devon lad how low where your levels on bloods? Were on this wkend chucking some iodine on the cows. Be the 4th time since late June early July. Our levels where at .48 which means nowt to me, but is exceptionally low, probably need to re do bloods to see if what we've done has/is working!

Never really had any issues with iodine here, but the build up of absorbing iodine in the form of teat spray must have an effect, I think in nz it was a coke cans worth in the water trough once a day.

 

[Beef farmer]

Never really had any issues with iodine here, but the build up of absorbing iodine in the form of teat spray must have an effect, I think in nz it was a coke cans worth in the water trough once a day.

Per cow or per 100?

 

[Beef farmer]

Valid comment. What sort of iodine do you use?

Neat surgical iodine from mole

 

[Devon lad]

Per cow or per 100?

Per herd probably a 3-400 cows, got it off an AI tech

 

[Devon lad]

Per herd probably a 3-400 cows, got it off an AI tech

Might be twice a day

 

[MrA.G.]

Neat surgical iodine from mole

Is surgical iodine not spirit based? In which case it can burn the skin of the cow if you’re putting it down their backs, even if you are diluting it. Aqueous based iodine is what you need.

 

[Beef farmer]

Is surgical iodine not spirit based? In which case it can burn the skin of the cow if you’re putting it down their backs, even if you are diluting it. Aqueous based iodine is what you need.

I think its 10% diluted 50%. I can confirm that it hasn't hurt the cows in the last 4 months

 

[MrA.G.]

I think its 10% diluted 50%. I can confirm that it hasn't hurt the cows in the last 4 months

It may not have bothered your cows but unfortunately I have that teeshirt. So I’ve always made sure to buy aqueous based iodine since. Similar price so no reason not too

 

[Beef farmer]

It may not have bothered your cows but unfortunately I have that teeshirt. So I’ve always made sure to buy aqueous based iodine since. Similar price so no reason not too

Will have a look and post picture of the bottle. How often do you do your cows?

Deadly for staining your hands!!!

 

[farmer JD]

Does putting it in the water troughs work just aswell

 

[Beef farmer]

It may not have bothered your cows but unfortunately I have that teeshirt. So I’ve always made sure to buy aqueous based iodine since. Similar price so no reason not too

I've googled it, it's part of the mole animal care range so hope it's safe for them..

 

[MrA.G.]

Will have a look and post picture of the bottle. How often do you do your cows?

Deadly for staining your hands!!!

That is spirt based as confirmed by the highly flammable sign! To be honest I think the time it caused me bother I didn’t dilute it by 50%. I start six weeks out from calving start date and try to do it every fortnight from then on. I’ve a screenshot on my phone from another thread on here suggesting buying concentrated hospital grade iodine which is aqueous and cheaper by the time it is diluted x20. I’m going to try it when my current jar runs out.

Lugols Iodine (10 x Concentrate) From Atom Scientific | Stains, Reagents & Special Stain Kits | Atom Scientific

Buy Lugols Iodine (10 x Concentrate) From Atom Scientific, the UK's largest diagnostic reagent manufacture and chemical retailer for science, education and industry

atomscientific.com

 

[Beef farmer]

That is spirt based as confirmed by the highly flammable sign! To be honest I think the time it caused me bother I didn’t dilute it by 50%. I start six weeks out from calving start date and try to do it every fortnight from then on. I’ve a screenshot on my phone from another thread on here suggesting buying concentrated hospital grade iodine which is aqueous and cheaper by the time it is diluted x20. I’m going to try it when my current jar runs out.

Lugols Iodine (10 x Concentrate) From Atom Scientific | Stains, Reagents & Special Stain Kits | Atom Scientific

Buy Lugols Iodine (10 x Concentrate) From Atom Scientific, the UK's largest diagnostic reagent manufacture and chemical retailer for science, education and industry

atomscientific.com

When do you stop? After serving?

 

[Spudley]

How much do you give them?

 

[Beef farmer]

How much do you give them?

Me, 20ml of mix so 10ml of 10% iodine