Cow Care from Agri Lloyd

INDEPENDENT TRIAL RESULTS THE ADAS STUDY

COW CARE™

Objective

The aim of the trial was to assess the impact of dosing with Cow Care™ on dairy cow fertility and calf viability, and in particular to measure its effects on the strength of oestrus post partum.

Trial Part 1:Methodology

1. Eight farms in the South East of England took part in the trial, totalling 720 cows. Average milk yield per cow ranged from 5,900 to 6,700 litres. None of the farms had known mineral deficiencies.

2. The cows were paired on the basis of parity and predicted calving date. They were then randomly split

into two groups. Group 1 was given Cow Care™ and group 2, the control group received no treatment.

3. Group 1 received an oral drench, 80ml Cow Care™ at drying off and again 1-2 weeks prior to becoming

eligible for service. All other feeding conditions were the same for both groups.

Assessment

Cow fertility was measured using the ADAS DataMate Scheme. Cow body condition was recorded at first

service and at calving. Cow health was monitored throughout the trial. Calving difficulty, size, sex and calf mortality were recorded.

Trial Part 2: Methodology

1. 58 cows at ADAS Bridgets EHF were paired for age and calving date.

2.The cows were split into two groups; group 1 consisted of 28 cows drenched with 100ml Cow Care™ at, or shortly before calving. Group 2 received no treatment.

Assessment

Milk from both groups was tested for progesterone twice weekly for 6 weeks post calving.

Main Findings

• IMPROVEDPREGNANCYRATESTOFIRST SERVICE BYOVER35%(WORTH £8.44 PERCOW)

• 33%REDUCTION INBARRENCOWS(WORTH £48.80 PER COW)

• REDUCEDRISKOFEXTENDEDCALVING INTERVALS

• SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASEDOBSERVED OESTRUS(EARLIEROVARIAN ACTIVITY – PROGESTERONETESTING)

• 46%REDUCTION INNEWCASESOFMASTITIS (WORTH £20.25 PER COW)

• CALFMORTALITY RATES REDUCED BY OVER50%(WORTH £2.32 PER COW)

• TOTALIMPROVEDPROFITPERCOWOF£64PER YEAR (£80 PROFIT MINUS £16 TREATMENT)

This was an independent trial, in two parts, designed and supervised by senior staff

at the Agricultural Development & Advisory Service (ADAS), Bridgets, overseen by

Dr Bridget Drew.