Low quality colostrum,could animax boluses at drying off help?

[Nyvlingen]

Since i started testing all colostrum, i was suprised to see how few cows who give good quality. Everything else around the dry and fresh cows is working good. Today i bought some animax boluses, the salesman said it could make it better. What do you all think?

 

[Sylution]

How are the calves performing? I have never tested colostrum before this year. However I had colostrum balls from forfarmers when buying transition cow cake. And like you I was surprised at the quality, over half the cows calved are 3 or 4 balls floating which means average colostrum. I do give animax bolus at drying off. So i would not count on better colostrum. However cows are cleansing much better an calf vigour seems to have improved.
I try to give the best colostrum to dairy replacements now, but if they suckle the cow they get what they get.
If you did not test you would not know. Si you have a good starting point.

 

[dairyrow]

We tested and i found earlier you take milk the better. Quality seams to go after a few hours and also just gave them more up to 4 litres if it was poor quality.

 

[Nyvlingen]

Calves are good, i save from the best colostrum and they get 4 ltr. But it is hard to put up a storage in the freezer when so few of the cows give any quality.

 

[Princess Pooper]

We use Lifeline pre-calver buckets but I appreciate that may not be suitable for larger herds and are also not suitable for outdoor use in TB areas. Most seem to lick from them and as long as they have had about 2-3 weeks on them, colostrum quality is usually OK. We do notice a difference if a cow or heifer has only had 1-2 weeks on them, then when tested the colostrum is not worth saving / feeding (or labelled as only for second feeds)

 

[bovine]

1. How soon are you testing?
2. How are you testing colostrum? Please be very specific as temperature matters with some methods.
3. Have you done any bloods to establish mineral status?
4. Have you had your vet test calves to see if they are getting enough antibodies?

A bolus might help, but there are many factors to this that need teasing apart, rather than chucking in a magic pill.