Calcium propionate and alfalfa are essential ingredients to restore energy and nutrients.

Not all drenches include the right ingredients at effective enough levels to provide both the instant and residual energy needed to get cows back to peak production.

Based on scientific research and field tests, two essential ingredients that are either under-dosed or not included in many drench mixes are calcium propionate and alfalfa.

Calcium Propionate

Calcium propionate is a key ingredient for replenishing both energy and calcium to sick and fresh cows.1,2

  • The energy from adequate amounts of calcium propionate has been shown to help increase the success rate in treating dairy cows.1
  • Many drench products do not provide adequate amounts of calcium propionate to be beneficial.1:

Alfalfa

Equally important is alfalfa, which provides an excellent source of nutrients for rumen bugs.1

  • These beneficial microbes produce volatile fatty acids (acetic, butyric, and propionic), which cows use as an energy source.3
  • Other important benefits include high protein content and a high proportion of soluble protein and rumen-degradable protein (RDP).4

Next, see our simple, step-by-step video on proper drench technique, demonstrated by Dr. Joe Bender.

PowerPak™ Drench Mix is specially formulated to provide a complete mix of the right ingredients, including effective levels of calcium and alfalfa.
Have questions about AAS drench products and ingredients?

References:

1. Currin J. Fluid therapy for sick cows: To pump or not to pump. Virginia Tech. Dairy Pipeline. October 2007. Available at: http://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/newsletter-archive/dairy/2007-10/FluidTherapy.html. Accessed: 7/19/17.

2. Hutjens M. Drenching fresh cows. University of Illinois. Illinois Livestock Trail. April 2002. Available at: http://livestocktrail.illinois.edu/dairynet/paperDisplay.cfm?ContentID=636. Accessed: 7/6/17.

3. Puch H. Rumen bugs 101—feeding the microbes, not just the cow. Progressive Cattleman. December 2016. Available at: http://www.progressivecattle.com/topics/feed-nutrition/7611-rumen-bugs-101-feeding-the-microbes-not-just-the-cow. Accessed: 7/10/17.

4. Newell R. Alfalfa still reigns in dairy diets, but watch for surplus RDP. Progressive Dairyman. February 2015. Available at: http://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/feed-nutrition/alfalfa-still-reigns-in-dairy-diets-but-watch-for-surplus-rdp. Accessed: 7/10/17.