Prophylactic calcium supplementation immediately after calving is a common strategy to prevent clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia in parturient dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prophylactic administration of an injected calcium supplement on blood calcium concentration at 24 hours and 48 hours after treatment, incidence risk of clinical disease and culling, milk production in early lactation, and probability of pregnancy at first insemination.
Source: Journal of Dairy Science, June 2, 2016. (partial link only)
Cows treated with the Ca product were significantly less likely to have received intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral supplemental Ca for exhibiting clinical signs of hypocalcemia than control cows (5.0 vs. 8.4%).
INSIGHTS: Calcium supplements are staples in products that distribution and dealers offer. This shows the effectiveness of calcium supplementation in early lactation. Representatives and veterinarians can use this abstract to renew discussions about calcium supplementation with dairy producers.