Magnesium to sucklers going to grass.

dodo mommy

What are yere opinions on giving opti-mag bolus to cows going to grass with autumn born calf's on them are they are must?

Fiat8090

We give allsure bolus here, then we know they are covered and don't have to worry about it.

Cattlepen

Using them for the first time this year. They release three times more magnesium than allsure

Alibaba

dodo mommy wrote: »

What are yere opinions on giving opti-mag bolus to cows going to grass with autumn born calf's on them are they are must?

Find the bolus very good.

Been using them for years. Peace of mind.

Bit expensive but an awful lot better than finding one some morning with legs up.

Fiat8090

Sorry meant to say we give allsure as well as magnesium not at the same time though! - just dosed our first time calvers with magnesium bolus today. And gave them pour on too.

Farrell

Alibaba wrote: »

Find the bolus very good.

Been using them for years. Peace of mind.

Bit expensive but an awful lot better than finding one some morning with legs up.

Are the magnesium bolus still as big as ever, remember giving the first 1, thought I'd choke the cow.

Alibaba

Farrell wrote: »

Are the magnesium bolus still as big as ever, remember giving the first 1, thought I'd choke the cow.

Ya they are.

Easy enough to apply them though with the applicator.

Have used the Rumbul bolus the last few years, it's a smaller one.

Count Mondego

Farrell wrote: »

Are the magnesium bolus still as big as ever, remember giving the first 1, thought I'd choke the cow.

The bigger the bolus the better, less chance of coughing them up.

Parishlad

Just looking at the Opti Mag bolus online. 1 pack contains 10 'Boli'. With the recommended dose being two per animal can someone tell me if this means that the pack contains 10 individual boluses/boli or 10 doses (i.e. 20 in total)?

Nettleman

Abit off subject but I put Allsure in yearling beef heifers that I let out paddys weekend, they are just glowing.

49801

Parishlad wrote: »

Just looking at the Opti Mag bolus online. 1 pack contains 10 'Boli'. With the recommended dose being two per animal can someone tell me if this means that the pack contains 10 individual boluses/boli or 10 doses (i.e. 20 in total)?

For spring sucks we switched to giving 1 optimag and repeating 4wks later rather than 2 at the same time. Once administered they start releasing and degrading in the stomach. This way the period of cover is longer

For autumn born I'd have to think about admining one or two.

They are expensive alright but do what they say on the tin. Nothing worse than finding a downer cow

Alibaba

Parishlad wrote: »

Just looking at the Opti Mag bolus online. 1 pack contains 10 'Boli'. With the recommended dose being two per animal can someone tell me if this means that the pack contains 10 individual boluses/boli or 10 doses (i.e. 20 in total)?

10 blouses in a box. 5 doses at the recommended 2 bolus per animal.

Alibaba

49801 wrote: »

For spring sucks we switched to giving 1 optimag and repeating 4wks later rather than 2 at the same time. Once administered they start releasing and degrading in the stomach. This way the period of cover is longer

For autumn born I'd have to think about admining one or two.

They are expensive alright but do what they say on the tin. Nothing worse than finding a downer cow

Ya they're good alright.

I do the same as you 1 bolus repeating 4 weeks later.

I also have a few hi-mag buckets around the field along with them.

49801

Alibaba wrote: »

Ya they're good alright.

I do the same as you 1 bolus repeating 4 weeks later.

I also have a few hi-mag buckets around the field along with them.

A timely bale of silage in a round feeder will slow a cows stomach too. Worth doing if you have reason to believe there is increased risk like toward the end of the bolus cover period

Alibaba

Typical tetany weather now I'd say.

I have them eating strong grass. Gave them 2 mag bolus on the 8th April.

Think they last only 28 days so I'll have to top up next week.

I used to use the mag buckets along with the bolus ensuring plenty of cover but now they won't lick the buckets.

Anyone come across this. This only started last autumn where they wouldn't lick the buckets either.

Didn't change the brand. Same one I was always using without any problems.

Count Mondego

Alibaba wrote: »

Typical tetany weather now I'd say.

I have them eating strong grass. Gave them 2 mag bolus on the 8th April.

Think they last only 28 days so I'll have to top up next week.

I used to use the mag buckets along with the bolus ensuring plenty of cover but now they won't lick the buckets.

Anyone come across this. This only started last autumn where they wouldn't lick the buckets either.

Didn't change the brand. Same one I was always using without any problems.

Sounds like they have enough with the bolus.

Alibaba

Count Mondego wrote: »

Sounds like they have enough with the bolus.

Ya maybe that's the case. Oversupply of mag :-)

49801

Alibaba wrote: »

Ya maybe that's the case. Oversupply of mag :-)

Next year consider admining one bolus at turn out and repeating 4 weeks later.
The stomach acids will break down 2 as fast as one bolus. You extend your cover this way.

Alibaba

Is it only cows with calves at foot are highest risk.

Is there any need to do dry cows ?

Count Mondego

Alibaba wrote: »

Is it only cows with calves at foot are highest risk.

Is there any need to do dry cows ?

Generally not. That said, had a dry cow die on me a number of years ago. She was very susceptible though, got a touch of it every few months. Didn't see the bitch for two days in a row as she was being wintered at the other end of farm. Went down Stephen's day and she was on the ground kicking. Brown bread.