The Bovine Bugle

VITAMINS AND MINERALS FOR A NEW MOTHER

Irma and her newborn calf are doing great! I had given Irma a homeopathic remedy, calcarea carbonica, the last few days prior to calving to help her system handle the demand for milk production. Calcarea carbonica is made from the middle layer of the oyster shell, and is used as a prophylactic remedy to prevent milk fever in fresh cows. After calving I added electrolytes to her drinking water to help her with stress of calving. The electrolytes are in granular form in an 8 ounce container. I add half a container to 5 gallons of water. The electrolytes are essential minerals the cow needs but may become deficient in during times of stress or when feed intake is reduced. The product I used contains potassium, calcium, and magnesium. I can't be sure if these pre- and post-natal therapies are the reason Irma is doing so well, but she is doing much better than the last few cows that calved. Cows calving during the winter months and older cows calving are more apt to have metabolic problems such as a lack of calcium or magnesium. The cow then loses her appetite, and her condition can worsen. By giving the cow homeopathic remedies or electrolytes we can alleviate these problems and keep the cow eating and feeling good.

--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont