A cow moves many nutrients to produce milk solids during lactation. She then needs to rebuild her body and skeleton during the dry and transition period to start the next lactation without any metabolic disorders.

For each lactation, a cow can lose about 500g of calcium from her natural storage, namely her bones.

This means she is mining her skeleton to put calcium and phosphorus into milk. This explains why higher producing older cows are more susceptible to milk fever. We must put back what we take out.

Under New Zealand conditions, knowing the dynamics of the minerals in the different stage of the cow’s transition is the key to designing the proper transition program.

Excess potassium affects magnesium absorption. You also need to consider mineral ratios, vitamin levels and understand the difference between farms to devise the most beneficial strategy.

Based on science and an understanding of New Zealand conditions, Sollus’ approach is very different to conventional mineral company recommendations.

Sollus designs and formulates products to be the best transition supplements for the New Zealand dairy cow.

Along with the calcium and magnesium that cows need, Sollus’ product Tranzsol incorporates antioxidants, magnesium and, most importantly, Rovimix Hy-D. This combination allows cows to safely transition, even when consuming pasture and limeflour. This enables less calcium to be lost from her bones.

Calcium is critical for function of the smooth muscles of the uterus, rumen teats, and sphincters. If these muscle groups can’t function effectively, we greatly increase the risk of metabolic disorders, and prevalence of mastitis and reproductive issues.

We no longer need to accept these diseases are a natural consequence of milking cows.