Cattle bolus

Bicki85

Hi all, just wondering what people's thoughts are on a bolus for cattle, which are best, want to purchase some and do all cows / heifers , are they a good job the bullet or are they waste of time and another gimmick , I'm all for improving animal welfare/ condition/ thrive,

_Brian

We used Mayo Healthcare all guard 4 in 1 this year. Copper, iodine, selenium and cobalt.
Cattle were on wonderful health all year, looked stunning too. Sold today and chap that took them said they were "glowing" and wants us I ring him next year when stick are ready to go.

Money well spent and local distributor gave use of applicator gun for the job so no need to purchase.

Definitely use again, gives six months cover..

Count Mondego

I gave an Osmonds fertility bolus to the cows in April, few weeks before bull was let out. Also gave it to some bullocks for finishing. Have a lack of copper in the land. Found it to be a mighty job. Less cows repeating and cattle thrived well. It's a massive bolus, twice the size of a normal one so no chance of them coughing them up.

Bicki85

Thanks for feedback, cows be calving from now on until spring just wondering would I benefit giving all cattle a bolus at same time ??

stanflt

Bicki85 wrote: »

Thanks for feedback, cows be calving from now on until spring just wondering would I benefit giving all cattle a bolus at same time ??

I'd give them a bolus 8 week pre calving

ellewood

stanflt wrote: »

I'd give them a bolus 8 week pre calving

What bout maidens/calves??

stanflt

ellewood wrote: »

What bout maidens/calves??

I give the calves a calf bolus at 4 months of age
Maidens get boluses 2 month pre mating and 2monrhs pre calving

This is the first year I've done it- had a 7.5% mortality rate last year due to mineral deficiency as a result of continually spreading lime

Incalf heifers and dry cows also get tropical iodine at 3 week intervals a month pre calving

Since I started doing this in march I've had no mortalities- last jan I lost 5 out of 8 calfs

Cattlepen

What is tropical iodine?

stanflt

Cattlepen wrote: »

What is tropical iodine?

A pour on type solution that slowly releases into the animal and unborn calf

Applied from shoulder to tail head at a rate of 30ml per 600kg

Muckit

Emmmm. Would the word be.... topical?

stanflt

Muckit wrote: »

Emmmm. Would the word be.... topical?

Predictive text on I phone

Muckit

I'm just being a smartarse. Was smiling thinking of the idea of coconut scented iodine

junospider

Gave allsure bolus to 10 bullocks in a group of 20,absolutely no difference in them.a waste of time and money.

_Brian

junospider wrote: »

Gave allsure bolus to 10 bullocks in a group of 20,absolutely no difference in them.a waste of time and money.

Minerals will only be any use if stock need them.
Were in a low selenium, low copper and high iron area. Stock would have copper and selenium deficiency problems if we don't supplement.

Muckit

Could you not have just got a cheap bottle of copper? Def good value for money and has to be easier administer than bolus.

Count Mondego

Muckit wrote: »

Could you not have just got a cheap bottle of copper? Def good value for money and has to be easier administer than bolus.

Copper injection lasts only a few weeks in the animal. Becomes a pain in the whole bringing them in every few weeks. Bolus lasts for up to 280 days.

Muckit

Is that what it says on the back of the box? lt must be true. They'd be shagged at 279 days.

Count Mondego

Muckit wrote: »

Is that what it says on the back of the box? lt must be true. They'd be shagged at 279 days.

The price was on the box, and that was accurate enough!

Bicki85

Would I be sawed wait until cattle goin to grass next spring and do all. Other wise if tryin to get exactly 8 weeks or whatever before calving I will be at them all winter

billy100

Gave the all-guard boluses from Mayo Health care last march before the bull was let out to cows, 26 cows served 25 in calf , great job thinking of giving them a bolus in a months time to cover the pre calving and post calving stages . Highly recommend them

micky mouse

Bicki85 wrote: »

Would I be sawed wait until cattle goin to grass next spring and do all. Other wise if tryin to get exactly 8 weeks or whatever before calving I will be at them all winter

_Brian wrote: »

We used Mayo Healthcare all guard 4 in 1 this year. Copper, iodine, selenium and cobalt.
Cattle were on wonderful health all year, looked stunning too. Sold today and chap that took them said they were "glowing" and wants us I ring him next year when stick are ready to go.

Money well spent and local distributor gave use of applicator gun for the job so no need to purchase.

Definitely use again, gives six months cover..

are those boluses the same size as the allsure ones,will the same gun do.did you do all your stock or just sucklers.do they cover your preand post calving requirements

_Brian

micky mouse wrote: »

are those boluses the same size as the allsure ones,will the same gun do.did you do all your stock or just sucklers.do they cover your preand post calving requirements

No cows just drystock here..