Austin Gleeson Reduces Milk Fever to Zero at Grass

Two years ago, on the herd of John and Kieran Kelleher in Macroom, where Austin Gleeson is a farm manager, milk fever was a serious issue. The 100 cow herd is both spring (60%) and autumn (40%) calving. When cows were at grass, milk fever ran at approx. 70%. When the cows were calving indoors, milk fever was still high at 1 in 25. This was obviously a major concern for Austin who was looking for reliable solution.
Austin met Nutribio rep Frankie Carroll, who worked with Austin to sort the milk fever issues. Milk fever is known as the gateway disease, as it makes the cow more susceptible to a host of other metabolic disorders, such as metritis, high somatic cell counts, ketosis and issues with fertility.
The first thing to assess was the pre-calver diet and minerals used in the 5-6 weeks prior to calving. With the silage analysed, it was decided that Immuboost Elite, with the high levels of magnesium and vitamin E, would be the most appropriate. Austin also decided that YMCP, the post-calving drink would support the cow against the risk of milk fever.
Since beginning this protocol, of using Immuboost Elite and YMCP, milk fever at grass has completely been eliminated, with the incidence of milk fever when calving indoors halved to 1 in 50. Austin now also uses post-calving minerals (Dairygold Post-Calver Gold) in order to maintain the herd heath and negate the effects of mineral losses as body condition drops post-calving.
Austin states that “A high performance herd needs high performing minerals”, and also states that meeting the right people on the ground, with the right solutions can really help farm performance.

Click here for further Immuboost Pre-Calver Elite product details.
Click here for further YMCP product details.