Calving season places added demands on both cows and calves. As cows transition through late gestation and early lactation, their nutritional requirements increase significantly. At the same time, newborn calves face greater disease challenges due to their immature immune systems. A proactive nutrition program can help reduce pathogen pressure, support animal health and set the stage for improved performance throughout the production cycle.
Understanding coccidiosis and prevention strategies
Coccidia are protozoan parasites that can affect cattle at any stage of production, but young calves are especially vulnerable and often experience the most severe infections. Infection begins when an animal ingests an infective sporulated oocyst. Once activated in the small intestine, the parasite invades host cells and reproduces. Oocysts are eventually shed in the feces, contaminating the environment and potentially feed sources. This cycle continues as other animals consume infective oocysts and typically lasts about 21 days.
Calving cows can contribute to increased calf exposure through oocyst shedding. That’s why a preventative approach is important. Medications called coccidiostats can be fed to control coccidiosis. Rumensin® is one of these medications that disrupts coccidia by targeting the parasites at multiple stages in its lifecycle and transporting sodium ions into it. This causes water influx and eventual cell rupture. Due to its mode of action and ability to work within multiple life stages, Rumensin is highly effective at managing existing populations while preventing new infections. Feeding Rumensin for at least 45 days prior to calving, or before moving cows into the calving barn can help reduce coccidia shedding in calving areas and lower the risk of exposure of young calves.
Performance benefits beyond coccidiosis control
In addition to helping manage coccidiosis, Rumensin can improve feed efficiency in pregnant and lactating cows. By shifting ruminal fermentation toward greater propionate production, Rumensin helps cows capture more energy from every pound of feed.
Research shows that feeding Rumensin results in a 5-10% improvement in feed efficiency of cows while maintaining the same body condition. Improved feed utilization can help cows maintain condition more efficiently and may support a quicker return to estrus following calving, contributing to a successful breeding season.
Supporting calf health and reducing pathogen pressure
Pathogen exposure remains another key challenge during calving season. BETAMOS® contains mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and β-glucans derived from yeast cell walls that help support animal health through multiple modes of action.
MOS can bind to pathogens such as Salmonella, Clostridium and E. coli, reducing their ability to attach to and infect host cells. Because these pathogens remain bound after excretion, BETAMOS may help reduce calf exposure through contaminated cow feces.
Beyond pathogen binding, BETAMOS also helps support a balanced and responsive immune system. When animals encounter stress or disease challenges, their immune systems release signaling molecules called cytokines to coordinate the immune response. While necessary, this process requires energy and can negatively affect performance if prolonged or excessive.
The β- glucans and MOS found in BETAMOS support optimal immune system priming and a more robust mucus lining. This helps to reinforce the innate and adaptive immune systems, without triggering the energy demands of a full immune response.
Research in healthy lactating dairy cows supplemented with yeast cell wall products demonstrated reduced circulating cytokine concentrations and shifts toward a more balanced and efficient immune response1. Additional research showed that heifers challenged with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) had lower cortisol concentrations and body temperatures when supplemented with yeast cell wall products, indicating a more controlled response to stress2.
By supporting both pathogen management and immune function, BETAMOS helps cows stay healthy and productive through the challenges of calving season.
Build a stronger foundation for cow and calf success
A healthy calving season starts with a strong nutritional foundation. Together, Rumensin and BETAMOS can help reduce pathogen pressure, support immune function, improve feed efficiency and promote calf performance. The result is healthier cows, healthier calves and a more productive operation.
Contact your local KENT Nutrition representative or our inside sales team to learn how Rumensin and BETAMOS can fit into your pre-calving supplementation program.
Rumensin® is a registered trademark of Elanco or its affiliates.
1 Aung, M., H. Ohtsuka, and K. Izumi. 2020. Short communication: Effect of yeast cell wall supplementation on peripheral leukocyte populations and mRNA expression of cytokines in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science. 103(6):5632-5640. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-17660
2 Burdick Sanchez, N., T. Young, J. Carroll, J. Corley, R. Rathmann, and B. Johnson. 2013. Yeast cell wall supplementation alters aspects of the physiological and acute phase responses of crossbred heifers to an endotoxin challenge. Innate Immunity. 19(4):411-419. doi: 10.1177/1753425912469673
