Category: Bovine Health

Calf Mortality Using Ramaekers Livestock Formulas

Study period: Oct. 15, 2002 – Jan. 20, 2003

KEY POINTS:

• 100% reduction in calf mortality
• Improved milk production
• Achieved breeding weight 2 months earlier
• OMRI-listed product

Dairy A

• Used 180 calves (30 died). No Livestock Stress Formula was used during the study period.

Dairy B

• Used 181 calves (only three died). Calves were fed the Livestock Stress Formula during the study period.

Comparison of Dairy A and Dairy B:

• Both dairies are located approximately 5 miles apart in Oakdale, California.
• They share a similar genetic pool and employ the same calf raiser.

Central California Dairy Cattle Trial

This study took place from October 15, 2002, to January 20, 2003, involving two dairy operations near Oakdale, California. Both operations have consistent genetics and similar illness and death rates for calves over many years. Ramaekers Livestock Stress Stable (LSSS) was delivered to both locations on the same day. Dairy A did not use the product, while Dairy B used it as directed.

During the study period, Dairy A transported 180 calves (with 30 fatalities), while Dairy B transported 181 calves (with only three fatalities).

Follow-up to the Central California Dairy Cattle Trial:

After four years of tracking the calves using Dairy Comp 305 software, the dairyman observed several significant results:

• The treated heifers calved at 22 months, compared to 24 months for heifers purchased from external sources.
• The study revealed that these heifers produced, on average, 2,000 pounds more milk per year.
• This increase in production translates to effectively receiving one free year of milk production for every six years.

These remarkable improvements in herd health, observed through immune supplementation, motivated the dairyman to transition to a certified organic dairy.

Summary:

Initiating early immune education, particularly for newborn calves, can significantly reduce illness rates, enhance profits, accelerate growth rates, and improve overall performance.

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• Newborn Original
• Newborn Sustained Bolettes w/Minerals
• Newborn Sustained Paste w/Minerals
• Adult Primer for Livestock
• Adult Sustained Release w/Minerals
• Adult Stress Premix
• Newborn Stress Premix
• Livestock Stress Pack
• Animal Stress Pack

Findings: 46% reduction in cortisol levels

In this study, twelve calves from a local sale barn, weighing between 350 and 511 pounds, were evaluated over a 60-day period. This group included four non-castrated bull calves and eight heifers. The calves were purchased and transported to a local veterinarian for processing. Six calves were randomly assigned to the treatment group, while the other six served as the control group.

All calves received antibiotic treatment with Dura-Penn and were also wormed and castrated as necessary. The calves in the treatment group received Ramaekers Stocker/Adult Immune Primer on days 1, 2, 3, and 12. Blood samples were collected twice daily (morning and evening) on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12. These samples were sent to a local veterinary lab to test for cortisol, T4, and insulin levels.

Calf Stress Reduction Study Results:

The findings showed a remarkable 46% reduction in cortisol levels in the treated calves compared to the control group. Additionally, there was a 43% improvement in diurnal rhythm and a 28% improvement in T4 function by day 5. At the end of the 60-day period, the calves that received treatment had a weight advantage of 60 pounds per head over those in the control group.

Calf Stress Reduction Study Summary

SUMMARY: Reducing the stress response (lowering cortisol levels) leads to improved immune function, resulting in better weight gain and increased profits. This pivotal study highlights the importance of preemptive and preventive natural immunotherapy in preventing disease, promoting health, and ultimately enhancing profitability. Our products stand apart from anything currently available on the market.

Performed by: Dr Bob McClung, Tiffin, Ohio, 2005

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Learn More about our Bovine Products

• Newborn Original
• Newborn Sustained Bolettes w/Minerals
• Newborn Sustained Paste w/Minerals
• Adult Primer for Livestock
• Adult Sustained Release w/Minerals
• Adult Stress Premix
• Newborn Stress Premix
• Livestock Stress Pack
• Animal Stress Pack

October 2009 Willow Creek Farms, Tiffin, Ohio

KEY POINTS:

• COMPARISON BETWEEN REGULAR (or standard) & SLOW-RELEASE LSSF
• Enhancing the effectiveness of cell-mediated immunity is a necessary supportive therapy for deep abscessation
• 320% TO 500% INCREASED VACCINE TITERS

In October 2009, 45 steers from Zanesville, Ohio, were delivered to Willow Creek Farms in Tiffin, Ohio, owned by Dr. Robert McClung.

The steers were gate-cut into three groups.

• Twenty heads were tagged with ODD numbers. They received the Standard Livestock Stress Stable,
• Twenty heads were tagged with EVEN numbers. They received the SLOW RELEASE Livestock Stress Stable and
• Five tagged controls to receive placebos.

The Standard group received the product on days 1, 2, and 12; the slow-release group received the product on days 1 and 12; and the controls received placebos on days 1, 2, and 12.

• On day 1, all cattle received the same worming and vaccine protocols. In addition, all cattle received a porcine, slow-release parvovirus vaccine and a 5-way leptospirosis vaccine from Solid Tech Bacterin.
• All cattle were bled on day 0 for baseline titers of porcine parvovirus and leptospirosis.
• On day 12, all cattle received standard vaccine boosters, and the study groups received their second dose of RB LSSS.
• On days 21 and 42, all cattle were bled and weighed.

Bovine Vaccine Titer Enhancement Observations by Dr. McClung:

• By the second day, ALL of the treated calves had suddenly stopped bawling and were feeding.
• On days 3 and 4, all the treated cattle had full bellies and appeared much more active than the controls.
• On day 10, some of the groups were visibly depressed and starting to show respiratory signs.
• By day 12, 8 of the Standard RB group and 3 of the Slow Release group had respiratory signs.
• On day 16, Dr. McClung mass-treated the Standard group with antibiotics and 2 of the Slow Release group.
• On day 21, Dr. McClung repeated the antibiotics for the RB group and rebled all cattle in the study.

After suspecting a vaccine failure and consulting with the manufacturer, Dr. McClung sent in titers for IBR, PI3, BVD, and BRSV. The manufacturer also suspected a vaccine failure or mutations in the virus. This was the first time in 5 years that Dr. McClung had problems with immune supplementation and vaccine response.

• On day 42, all cattle were re-bled and weighed.

Bovine Vaccine Titer Enhancement

Summary:

• Essentially, all cattle in the study had zero starting titers for the swine vaccines
• Both viral and bacterial components of the vaccines responded very strongly to Natural Immune Supplementation, ranging from a 320% to 500% increase in titers
• Also discovered was a delayed loss of vaccine immunity or a Prolonged Duration of Immunity.

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Learn More about our Bovine Products

• Newborn Original
• Newborn Sustained Bolettes w/Minerals
• Newborn Sustained Paste w/Minerals
• Adult Primer for Livestock
• Adult Sustained Release w/Minerals
• Adult Stress Premix
• Newborn Stress Premix
• Livestock Stress Pack
• Animal Stress Pack