Supplementary Feed
Supplementary feed provides targeted support for dairy cows and calves during critical phases – from the prevention of milk fever and ketosis, through fertility, to vitality after calving.
We offer practical information on key metabolic topics as well as high-quality supplementary feed for cattle and calves.
Suplementary feed for cattle and calves: solutions for milk fever, ketosis and fertility problems
As a proven specialist in farm animal husbandry with decades of experience in the field of feed supplements, the Kerbl Group has been stocking a wide variety of supplementary feeds for years with great success.
In addition to supplementary feeds, Kerbl offers useful products that are necessary for professional feeding of your animals. Product safety is always of the utmost importance to Kerbl. Therefore, Kerbl pays conscientious attention to the careful selection of products and suppliers.
For years, Kerbl has been stocking supplementary feeds from the AgroChemica brand, which has been a household name for decades for the highest quality and reliability, even far beyond the borders of Germany.
Our range is wide and always offers the right product
Give your calves the best start with essential supplementary feed and other useful calf-rearing aids:
Milk Fever
Background knowledge
Milk fever is a disease of the calcium and phosphorus metabolism, which is mainly observed in freshly calved dairy cows.
Development and causes
Relevant for the development of milk fever are:
- the 6-8 weeks before calving (dry period)
- the 2 days after calving
- the daily quantity of milk
- the amount of calcium needed
- the amount of calcium actually available
Daily milk quantity: 6–8 weeks before the calving date, the cow is put dry. She is no longer milked and produces no milk during this time. After calving, lactation starts and the amount of milk increases rapidly.
Amount of calcium needed: The amount of calcium needed depends strongly on the daily amount of milk, as milk contains a lot of calcium. During the dry period, the amount of calcium needed is very low, as the cow only needs to cover the requirements for her own life and for the growing calf. As soon as lactation begins, the cow’s calcium requirement increases dramatically.
Amount of available calcium: With calving and the onset of lactation, calcium requirements rise sharply. The cow’s metabolism needs up to two days to adapt to this situation. The insufficient mobilisation of calcium from the bone compared to the sudden increase in demand can lead to a calcium gap and trigger dairy fever (= hypocalcaemia).
Find out more about our products for milk fever prophylaxis
Dietary supplementary feed for dairy cows to lower the risk of clinical / sub-clinical milk fever
Difference between clinical & subclinical milk fever.
Muscles and nerves need calcium to function properly. Depending on the level of calcium deficiency, cows suffer from clinical or subclinical milk fever.
Clinical milk fever
In clinical milk fever, the calcium deficiency is so great that the muscles fail and the cow can no longer stand up. This form of milk fever is usually recognised and treated by the veterinarian. He usually administers a calcium infusion directly into the blood.
Subclinical milk fever
In the subclinical form of milk fever, the calcium deficiency does not lead to any visible symptoms and is therefore often not recognised. Nevertheless, feed intake decreases, milk yield decreases and the risk of secondary diseases increases.
Frequency
Scientific studies assume that on average every 10th older cow (from the 3rd calf) suffers from clinical and every 3rd cow from subclinical milk fever.
Status quo - milk fever prophylaxis Germany Study (Uni Berlin 2016):
54 % of the farms studied do not have a milk fever strategy, i.e. they do not take any prophylactic measures. Among the farms that did take milk fever prophylaxis, 80 % (37 %) of the farms gave calcium orally and 20 % (9 %) fed acid salts.
Consequential diseases
The impairment of the musculature and nerves due to milk fever can affect a wide variety of areas in the cow's body: If the skeletal muscles do not function properly, the cow will stand unsteadily or lie down. Due to the unsteady gait, she will go to the feed table less often and thus reduce her feed intake. This leads to energy deficiency, fat meltdown and eventually ketosis.
Likewise, the risk of injury increases if the skeletal muscles do not function properly. The muscle at the end of the teat can also be affected by dairy fever. If this muscle does not close properly, germs can enter the udder and cause mastitis. The whole digestive system depends on an intact calcium supply because it consists of layers of muscle. If these do not function optimally, digestive problems can occur.
The abomasal displacement also finds its cause here. The uterine muscles are central to the birth and postpartum process. If these do not function properly, it can lead to weakness in labour and postpartum behaviour. Possible consequences are uterine infections, birth injuries and fertility problems. These secondary diseases strain and weaken the immune system. Pathogens therefore find it very easy to cause damage. This connection is also suspected in the case of the claw disease dermatitis digitalis (Mortellaro).
1 Skeletal musculature
- Injuries
- Insecure movement
→ Consequence: lower feed consumption
→ Consequence: Ketosis
2 Uterine musculature
- Heavy birth
- Postpartum behavior
- Uterine inflammation
→ Consequence: Fertility problems
3 Rumen and intestinal motor function
- Abomasal displacement
- Digestive problems
→ Consequence: Ketosis
4 Teat sphincter muscle
- Udder inflammation
Preventive measures
Entering a calcium bolus to bridge the calcium deficit.
- At least 40 g of available calcium should be administered per bolus. If the calcium content per bolus is above 40 g, one bolus per administration is sufficient. On average, 2 calcium administrations are sufficient.
- Only use products that are gentle on the mucous membranes. The calcium source calcium chloride is corrosive!
- If calcium carbonate is used as a calcium source, it must be noted that calcium availability is only about 75%.
Input of a calcium liquid to bridge the calcium deficit.
- At least 40 g of available calcium should be given per administration. If the calcium content per bottle is above 40 g, one bottle per administration is sufficient. On average, 2 doses of calcium are sufficient.
- Only use products that are gentle on the mucous membranes. The calcium source calcium chloride is corrosive!
- If calcium carbonate is used as a calcium source, it must be noted that calcium availability is only about 75%.
- the better the product tastes to the cows, the easier and safer it is to feed it.
Calcium binders during the last 2 weeks before birth.
- Feeding calcium binders reduces calcium absorption in the cow's body. A scarce supply of calcium during the dry period can prevent dairy fever.
- However, if the dry ration consists of a high proportion of potassium-rich grass silage or potassium-rich hay, this measure is not sufficient.
- The calcium binder binds calcium in the animals' digestive tract. The bound calcium is excreted and only the unbound part passes into the blood. The same effect occurs as with low-calcium feeding.
- The prerequisites for correct use are a ration calculation, close observation of feed intake and immediate discontinuation of the calcium binder after calving!
Injection of vitamin D3
- As this is a veterinary medicinal product, its use must be discussed with the veterinarian.
Subcutaneous injection of calcium
- As this is a veterinary medicine, its use must be discussed with the veterinarian.
Acid salts during the last 2 - 3 weeks before calving.
- Feeding acid salts reduces the DCAB (cation-anion balance) in the feed ration. The goal is a low blood pH before birth. This negative metabolic balance reduces the risk of milk fever. This can be achieved by feed rations with a negative DCAB.
- Preconditions for the correct use are an exact ration calculation, regular urinalysis, close observation of feed intake and immediate discontinuation of acid salts after calving.
- A calcium and potassium-reduced diet in the last 3-4 weeks before calving reduces the risk of milk fever.
- However, if the dry ration consists of a high proportion of grass silage or hay, this is usually not feasible.
- A prerequisite for the success of this measure are analysis results of the basic feedstuffs used and exact ration calculations.
Ketosis
Background knowledge
Ketosis (acetonemia) is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism. It usually occurs in the first weeks after calving and is caused by an energy deficit. The high energy demand caused by the onset of lactation after calving cannot be met by the slow increase in feed intake. Due to the lack of energy, the animals break down body fat and the ketone body content in the blood rises characteristically.
Development and causes
The following factors are relevant to the development of ketosis:
- Relevant for the development of ketosis are:
- the 6-8 weeks before calving (dry period)
- the 10th week after calving
- the quantity of milk
- the amount of energy needed
- the amount of energy actually available
Daily milk quantity: 6–8 weeks before the calving date, the cow ias put dry. She is no longer milked and produces no milk during this time. After calving, lactation starrts, the milk quantity increases rapidly and reaches it`s peak around the 10th week of lactation.
Amount of energy needed: The amount of energy needed depends strongly on the daily amount of milk, as energy is needed for milk production. During the dry period, the amount of energy needed is very low, as the cow only needs to meet the requirements for her own life and for the growing calf. As soon as lactation begins, the cow’s energy needs increase dramatically. The higher the milk production, the higher the energy demand.
e Amount of available energy: With calving and the onset of lactation, the energy demand increases dramatically. The animals’ feed intake usually does not increase quickly enough, lresulting in an energy deficit that can last until the 10th week of lactation. The insufficient feed intake can have many causes. Every high-producing cow has an energy deficit; the decisive factor is the size of the energy deficit. The sooner the cow gets gong after calving, i.e. the smaller the dent outlined in red in the graph, the lower the risk of ketosis
Preventive measures
- Optimisation of dry stallion feeding and management (no overcrowding, generous feeding space, etc.)
- Optimisation of transit feeding and management (no overcrowding, generous feeding space, etc.)
- Feeding or drenching of glucoplastic substances (e.g. propylene glycol, propionate, etc.)
- Monitoring hoof health (prerequisite for high feed intake)
Risk factors
- Poor dry stall management
- Non-adapted feed rations
- High milk yield
- Stress & disease (reduction in feed intake)
Find out more about our products for ketosis prophylaxis
Dietary supplementary feed for dairy cows, ewes and goats to lower the risk of ketosis
Frequency
It is estimated that about 30% of all dairy cows develop subclinical ketosis in the first two weeks after calving.
Symptoms and secondary diseases
The symptoms and secondary diseases of ketosis are very varied:
- Acetone odour of exhaled air
- Decrease in feed intake and milk yield
- Change in milk composition (reduced protein and increased fat content)
- Hypoglycaemia (lowered blood glucose level)
- Digestive disorders
- Neurological symptoms
- Apathy
- Fertility problems
- Deteriorated immune defence
Even the subclinical form of ketosis has clear risks:
1. 14 times higher risk of developing ketosis
2. 11 times higher risk of developing abomasal displacement
3. 4 times higher risk of developing uterine inflammation
4. 7 times higher risk of developing mastitis
5. 200–400 kg less milk per lactation
6. 2 times higher risk of getting a hoof disease
Find a large selection of feed supplements here:
Fertility
Fertility and Beta Carotene
The fertility of animals is the central factor in animal husbandry. Beta-carotene plays a decisive role in this. Among other things, it influences ovulation, oestrus and serves to protect against infection.
Beta-carotene
Is important for...
...sperm, egg cell, ovary
...colostrum
...Immune defence
...corpus luteum
If an animal suffers from a ß-carotene deficiency, the following symptoms or diseases may occur:
- lactation heat
- delayed follicle maturation/ovulation
- cysts
- embryonic death
- premature abortions
- susceptibility to infection
Risk factors for ß-carotene deficiency
- High silage maize content
- Old grass silage (brown colour)
- High straw content in dry rations
- Low feed intake
- High milk yield
Beta carotene content of feedstuffs (dry matter)
Fresh grass is rich in beta carotene. In contrast, maize silage, straw and cereals contain little beta carotene. The beta carotene content of poor grass silage and poor hay is also low. Also due to the storage period of silage, ß-carotene can become scarce in dairy cattle rations in spring.
This is how you maintain the fertility of your dairy cows:
Vitality
Vitality after calving
Cows need water, energy and other important supplements as soon as possible after calving to prevent abomasal displacement and metabolic problems.
The reduction in size of the uterus after birth increases the risk of abomasal displacement and can be reduced by a high water intake immediately after calving. Animals often take in 20 to 80 litres of water voluntarily, spontaneously after calving. Hand-warm water is preferred to cold water.
Not only water intake, but also a supply of energy and important vitamins and trace elements is enormously important for freshly calved cows for a quick regeneration and a safe start into lactation. Since the animals need a lot of energy and other important substances with the onset of lactation, the water intake should be used to supply the animals with electrolytes, trace elements and important vitamins at the same time - a calving drink is an optimal and simple solution for this.
Increase the vitality of your dairy cows after calving:
What are the advantages of a calving drink?
- Promotes voluntary water intake directly after calving
- Rapid energy supply
- Supply of electrolytes to compensate for losses during birth
- Vitamins and trace elements strengthen the defences and support the metabolism
- Can reduce the risk of abomasal displacement and metabolic problems
Our Bolus range
Bolus Calzogol
Calcium bolus (milk fever)
Cows with an optimal calcium supply start lactation better, are healthier and give more milk. The Calzogol Bolus enables the cow to receive a steady supply of calcium. Calzogol Bolus contains no corrosive calcium chloride, is therefore well tolerated by the mucosa and does not produce irritation of the mouth, oesophagus and rumen.
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Feeding recommendation:
Administer one bolus with the applicator as per the instructions when calving. If required, administer a second bolus approx. 12 hours after birth.
Dietary mineral feed for milk cows to lower the risk of milk fever. High calcium content in the form of readily available calcium salts.
Bolus Phosphogol
Phosphorus bolus for dairy cows
Cows with optimum phosphorus supply have a better start to lactation, are healthier and produce more milk. Phosphorus deficiency occurs ever more frequently in calving cows. The Phosphogol bolus enables the targeted supply of phosphorus around calving time.
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Feeding recommendation:
Administer one bolus with the applicator as per the instructions when calving. If required, administer a second bolus approx. 12 hours after birth.
Feed supplement for dairy cows
Bolus Ket-o-Vital®
Energy Bolus (Ketosis)
Healthy cows become pregnant quicker and provide more milk. This energy bolus works on various physiological levels: Liver, rumen and immune system. Very high milk yield, birth problems, stress, heat and obesity at the time of birth are classical risk factors for ketosis. The glucoplastic substances support the energy metabolism. This reduces the risk of ketosis/acetonemia.
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Feeding recommendation:
Administer two boluses shortly after calving using a bolus applicator as per the instructions. If required, administer another bolus 12 hours after calving.
Dietary supplementary feed for milk cows to lower the risk of milk ketosis. Glucose-supplying raw materials.
Bolus Fertilgol
Beta Carotene Bolus (fertility)
Bolus Fertilgol is excellent for female and male breeding animals just before and during the covering or insemination period. The high beta carotene content aids the corpus luteum formation, colostrum quality, the oestrus cycle and sperm quality. A well-developed corpus luteum has a positive influence on the embryonic survival rate. A quick pregnancy shortens the calving interval and improves economic success.
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Feeding recommendation:
Female cows: Administer the first bolus 30 days before insemination. Administer the second bolus shortly before or after insemination
Stud bulls: Administer one bolus every 20 – 30 days during breeding season. The bolus dissolves in 20 days in the rumen
Dietary mineral feed (for cattle with fully developed rumen) to support preparation for oestrus and reproduction.
High content of vitamin A
Bolus Bufferlyt
Buffer and Electrolyte Bolus
Sodium bicarbonate is a very effective buffer. The use of buffers helps to resist excess acidity. Excess acidity is often the reason why calves are weak and dull and have no desire to drink. Lost electrolytes are effectively replaced. This stabilises water levels during e.g. transport, stress and heat. Stress-free and safe administration can also be done without an applicator. Simply place the bolus lengthways on the base of the tongue using your hand.The calf will swallow the bolus with no problems.
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Feeding recommendation:
Immediately administer one bolus as per the instructions at the first signs of digestive problems.. Then administer one bolus after each liquid meal for 2 – 3 days.
Mineral feed (for calves) for additional supply of buffers and electrolytes.
Supplementary feed for calves
As a proven specialist in farm animal husbandry with decades of experience in the field of feed supplements, the Kerbl Group has been stocking a wide variety of dietary supplement for years with great success. In the following, we present products especially for calf rearing in more detail:
Find out about our full range of dietary supplements.
Gut health
Diarrhoeal diseases are among the most economically significant calf diseases. In the first weeks of life, they account for about 75-80% of all calf diseases (BOTHER and BUDDE, 1992; BRÄNDLE, 2006). In the following, we present a selection of high-quality dietary supplement s that you can use when there is a risk of diarrhoea to support the intestinal health of your calves:
Here you will find dietary supplements for intestinal health
Agrolyt® Powder
Electrolyte and buffer concentrate
Electrolyte drinks with buffer substances can be life-saving for diarrhoea calves! They work against metabolic acidosis and against dehydration. Agrolyte stabilises the water and electrolyte balance during diarrhoea and sweating. The electrolytes contained compensate for the losses that occur during diarrhoea and sweating. The buffer substance contained regulates the blood pH value.
Agrobac®-K Powder
Powder to enhance the milk feed
Agrobac-K Powder can be used to enhance the milk feed if there is a risk of, during and after digestive disorders, as it supports the physiological digestion of calves. It is stirred directly into the milk feed and contains electrolytes, yeast products, easily digestible carbohydrates and bentonite.
Agrodiar®-K Powder
Powder to enhance the milk feed
Agrobac-K Powder can be used to enhance the milk feed if there is a risk of, during and after digestive disorders, as it supports the physiological digestion of calves. It is stirred directly into the milk feed and contains electrolytes, yeast products, easily digestible carbohydrates and bentonite.
Bolus Bufferlyt
Buffer and electrolyte bolus
Blood over-acidity is the cause of unwillingness to drink, weakness and being stuck during diarrhoea. The Bufferlyte Bolus for calves contains the buffer substance sodium bicarbonate and regulates the blood pH. When the blood pH is in order, the calves are fitter and drink milk and electrolyte drinks again. The input is safe and child's play.
Elektrolyt
Electrolytes are the basis for internal balance. During heat, transport or illness, calves lose not only fluid but also important minerals. The product Elektrolyt is an electrolyte solution for milk drinks and contains a balanced mixture of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. It helps to compensate for electrolyte losses and supports the performance, vitality, well-being and health of calves.
Surlac® Plus Liquid
Liquid concentrate for acidification
Surlac Plus can be used to safely acidify and "pre-digest" the milk drinker. Acidification below pH 5.5 inhibits the growth of certain bacteria (e.g. E.coli). As a result, the drinker remains very well tolerated by the calves even below 39°C. This is important for ad libitum, storage and cold drinking. Surlac Plus also contains vital iron. Iron promotes blood formation and infection defence and helps to increase the calves' vitality.
Valetumed Formic acid EASY FEED 73 %
The 73 % formic acid ensures reliable acidification of the calf milk, which means that the drinker is predigested and remains well tolerated even at temperatures below 39 °C. A pH value below 5.5 specifically inhibits harmful bacteria such as E. coli - ideal for ad lib, stored and cold drinks.
Iron intake
Paste Ferrovital®-K
Dietary supplement feed for an optimal iron, selenium and vitamin supply for calves after birth
The highly available iron contained in Ferrovital-K Paste supports blood formation and defence against infection. Vitamins A and E strengthen the intestinal mucosa and defences. The valuable herbal oils in the paste prevent digestive disorders. The portioned injectors make dosing and feeding particularly easy.
The Globigen Concept
The antibodies produced by the chicken (IgY) function similarly to the antibodies produced by mammals (IgG). IgY can be absorbed orally by the calf via egg powder and act locally in the intestine. The supplementary feeds Globigen Colostrum, Globigen DiaStop and Globigen CalfPaste contain these valuable, functional egg immunoglobulins and can support the intestinal health of your calves.
Here you will find dietary supplements for intestinal health according to the Globigen concept.