Question 1

Why do you need a perfect balance of blood calcium at calving?

Accepted Answer

It is really important to aid the cow in the transitional period. Calcium deficiency can lead to multiple problems related to both muscle and immune function. Cows with subclinical hypocalcaemia are nine times more likely to suffer with ketosis, four times more likely to have displaced abomasum, six times more likely to get dystocia, and twice as likely to contract metritis. All of which leads to loss of income and the increased potential for culling or death. X-Zelit® brings simplicity to transition cow management whilst controlling many metabolic issues and sets the cow up for a successful lactation and lifetime production.

Question 2

What is the difference between clinical and sub-clinical milk fever?

Accepted Answer

Clinical milk fever incidence is currently running close to 10% in UK dairy herds. It’s costing approximately £200 per cow. Clinical milk fever is a metabolic disease caused by a low blood calcium level, also termed hypocalcaemia. Subclinical milk fever can affect up to 75% of the herd, it’s unrecognisable and generally remains untreated. As such it may persist into early lactation and economically have a more negative effect on the farm that clinical cases.

Question 3

How can I check if my herd has milk fever or hypocalcaemia?

Accepted Answer

The farm level of hypocalcaemia is easily demonstrated by taking blood samples from 5-10 older cows at calving. We highly recommend farmers to access own farm specific level of SCH and explore how easily this problem can be solved using X-Zelit.

Question 4

My herd doesn’t really suffer from milk fever, do I still need to use X-Zelit on my dry cows?

Accepted Answer

X-Zelit does not just prevent milk fever but the problems associated with low blood calcium. 75% of your herd will suffer from low blood calcium so there is always a cost benefit to feeding your cows X-Zelit. Supplementation of dry cows, in herds that have only minor clinical milk fever problems, results in higher milk production, lower somatic cell count, decreased frequency of metritis and lower culling rate during lactation.

Question 5

What are the benefits of X-Zelit when feeding the dry cow?

Accepted Answer

If your dry cow eats their full dosage of X-Zelit, they will not get milk fever, it also reduces the effects of sub-clinical milk fever, as well as a whole host of benefits from achieving a perfect calcium balance.

Question 6

Is X-Zelit cost effective?

Accepted Answer

Definitely. Not only will you reduce loses from milk fever and other metabolic disorders, it also drives intakes and, therefore, fertility, and production. Even with a lower milk price, the cow reliably gets going better. X-¬Zelit should continue being fed to the cows two weeks prior to calving to ensure maintained milk and fertility post-calving.

Question 7

How much could I save using X-Zelit?

Accepted Answer

X-Zelit has been tried and tested on UK farms for over 10 years, producing positive results for the farmers who use it. On average they have saved up to £90 per cow including the cost of the feed – you can see an example below. You can also see how much you could save with our metabolic cost calculator.

Question 8

I don't get milk fevers and a low percentage of held cleansings, but metritis is an issue will X-Zelit help?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because the cow is in the same hormonal state after calving as she is pre-calving. She’s driven to want to eat straight after birth. Intakes are therefore higher, giving more energy, which helps reduce metritis.

Question 9

How does X-Zekit compare to DCAD diets, do I need to measure pH?

Accepted Answer

It is a lot simpler than DCAD diets. Changes in forage do not alter the effectiveness of the X-Zelit. pH does not need to be measured in urine as we are not trying to balance anions. The X-Zelit system is much simpler and much more flexible.

Question 10

Is X-Zelit the same as DCAD?

Accepted Answer

No, DCAD works by balancing anions and can be affected by the diet. X-¬Zelit actually binds the calcium, causing a low calcium effect and is therefore not affected by the diets fed.

Question 11

My dry cow ration has a high potassium level, how does that affect the calcium balance?

Accepted Answer

A high potassium level in the dry cow ration is difficult to handle using the DCAB strategy and therefore dry cows should avoid late cut forage high in potassium. However, applying X-Zelit eliminates the potassium concerns. For the dairy farmer this means increased options in choosing and composing your dry cow ration.

How can X-Zelit help?

X-Zelit helps by ensuring your cows have a perfect blood calcium level at calving. This is the most critical stage to set the cow up to ensure her future health, longevity and profitable milk production.