Getting transition and early lactation cows off to the best start requires close attention to their nutritional requirements, and the same goes for high yielders in the opinion of Mike Chown from UFAC.

Introducing Utopia, the next generation unique dairy cow supplement

Getting transition and early lactation cows off to the best start requires close attention to their nutritional requirements, and the same goes for high yielders in the opinion of Mike Chown from UFAC.

“We expect a transition cow to achieve an enormous amount in a very short time,” he suggests. “They have got to safely deliver a calf and recover from the stresses this entails.Then we expect them to start eating significantly more, go from zero milk production to producing a significant volume of milk with good solids all within a short time frame. We ask them to do all of this without suffering any metabolic disorders along the way. “The challenges for high yielders are just as large. Maintaining high yields and milk quality, while not losing body weight, getting back in calf and staying healthy. “The least we can do is make sure the diet is giving them all the help it can. Effective transition is about minimising stress while providing a fine-tuned mix of nutrients. And this is why we have developed Utopia, a unique supplement to help improve health, productivity and fertility in transition and high yielding cows by focusing on four key areas.”

Energy supply

Early lactation cows have a high demand for glucose which accounts for 70% of their energy needs. Glucose drives milk production and is also vital as the fuel for the immune system in the event of a disease challenge. Utopia contains rumen-inert glycerine, the most efficient source for glucose production by the liver. It also features a balance of highly digestible rumen-inert fatty acids to boost energy density, in particular C18:1Oleic acid to help reduce insulin resistance and body condition loss. Choline helps keep the liver healthy and efficient to reduce the risk of ketosis.

Strong immune system

The ability to fight infections quickly and efficiently during transition is vital so Utopia contains high levels of vitamin E and selenium to help reduce oxidative stress and reduce the consequence of infection. Omega 3 EPA and DHA from the most effective marine sources also strengthen the overall immune response. With a strong immune system less glucose is diverted from milk production to fighting infection.

Better fertility

EPA and DHA also play a crucial role in fertility, increasing the size and quality of eggs, leading to improved conception rates and reduced early embryonic deaths.

Balancing amino acids

Cows need a supply of many essential amino acids and the performance of everything is determined by the first amino acid to be limiting. If any amino acid is limiting the consequence is yield depression, reduced milk protein and compromised fertility. In most diets this is methionine so Utopia supplies it in a highly effective rumen-inert form. Utopia will help cows transition effectively, doing all that is expected of them while making high yielding cows better equipped for the challenges they face.