In 2023, the researchers contacted dairy producers, calf raisers and haulers through digital advertisement, email, and extension agents to complete an online survey. Dairy producers (n = 69) were surveyed for colostrum management, health evaluations, and marketing channels, while those receiving calves (n = 29) responded to questions about calf condition at arrival, preweaning disease incidence, and preconditioning requirements. Calf haulers (n = 25) replied regarding travel distances, number of stops, and destinations.

Survey results indicated dairy replacement heifers were transported at older ages than beef-on-dairy calves, with dairy bull calves falling intermediate between the other two groups. More replacement heifers were vaccinated at the dairy than were calves entering the beef chain.

Respondents receiving calves reported substantial variability in preweaning morbidity and mortality rates. Calf raisers indicated they do not require source dairies to follow a preconditioning protocol when sending calves, and no source dairy had consistent fit-for-transport criteria. All respondents indicated the need for greater communication throughout the production chain and the need for best practice recommendations.

While both source dairies and calf raisers indicated a willingness to standardize practices to improve morbidity and mortality rates, the challenge lies in which party provides an incentive, financial or other otherwise. In addition, there is very little agreement on which practices should be implemented and followed by either party. Further research is needed to determine best practices for preconditioning protocols to improve calf health after transport and further into life.

These findings reinforce the importance of early-life management and their long-term impact on performance. At Agrarian Solutions, our calf philosophy is simple, “Whatever happens day one, week one, month one affects the calf the rest of its life.”

Building on that philosophy and in agreement with our Defend and Protect™ philosophy, Agrarian Solutions has developed the CONVERT™ family of calf products to bolster calf health and performance from birth past weaning and then utilizing other Agrarian products to continue from freshening to entering lactation. The CONVERT calf program focuses on strengthening gut integrity through the cell wall-deficient bacteria and probiotic expertise and IgY technology targeting specific digestive pathogens.

Reference: ¹Machuca et al. 2026. Preweaning calf transportation practices in the United States: A cross-sectional survey of dairies, haulers, and calf raisers. J. Dairy Sci. 109:4307-4322.

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Approximately 80% of HBS cases coincide with the incidence of the Aspergillus fumigatus mold in the digestive tract of necropsied cattle, and Clostridium perfringens Type A contamination is often cited as a potential factor ¹ Reviewing the typical HBS symptoms (a sudden onset of bloody diarrhea hitting the highest producing cows leading to rapid decline and death, and then post-mortem finding of bloody intestines with clotting) may implicate another potential HBS factor.

While a range of mycotoxins are toxic to intestinal cells, T-2 and its metabolite HT2, are particularly destructive to the digestive tract lining. Ruminal microorganisms cannot detoxify T-2 in the diet; whatever amount of T-2 is ingested passes through to the intestines where it enacts much of its damage.

Mycotoxins that harm the digestive tract (DON and especially T-2/HT2) create a break in the castle wall of the digestive tract that allow other harmful pathogens through. The pathogen Clostridia perfringens Type A is considered a factor in HBS; if T-2 can break down the defenses it is creating a pathway for Clostridia or Aspergillus fumigatus to invade and cause harm to the digestive tract. The combination of T-2, Clostridia and Aspergillus fumigatus constitutes a lethal trio for destroying the digestive tract.

There are no direct research studies implicating mycotoxins as a factor in HBS, but we can theorize that some cases may be due to mycotoxins destroying intestinal cells and allowing other harmful pathogens access to the digestive tract cells to cause damage. When normal measures against HBS do not work it is important to explore other avenues.

Due to the size and structure of T-2, the toxin is poorly bound by clays or yeast cell wall products and, consequently, can destroy the digestive tract lining despite including these products in animal diets². There are no feed enzyme-type products offering research-proven effectiveness against T-2. Field experience indicates that DTX is one of the only feed products providing protection against the T-2 mycotoxin.

Certainly, mycotoxins and T-2 cannot be implicated in all cases of HBS, but there is indirect evidence that a portion may be attributed to intestinal damage caused by T-2. Routine TMR sampling for mycotoxins can indicate when to include DTX in the TMR to protect the digestive tract against T-2 destruction. Contact your Agrarian Representative for advice on implementing the DTX technology for defending and protecting the intestinal tract from mycotoxins and to enable healthier, more productive cattle.

Authors: Caroline Knoblock, MSc, – Director of Nutrition, Agrarian Solutions and Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS – Vice President of Nutrition

References: ¹Sockett et al., 2004. Proc. Am. Assoc. Vet. Lab. Diagnos. 36. • ²Kihal et al., 2022. J. Anim. Sci. 100:1-14.

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Inflammation is a normal, necessary process of the body defending and healing itself. Unfortunately, excessive inflammation or a lack of resources to complete the healing process results in unresolved inflammation and the diversion of nutrients from profit-generating uses, namely growth, lactation, and reproduction.

In the last few years, new research has flipped the script and helped us understand that ketosis and subclinical hypocalcemia are not the causes of transition health issues, rather they are the results of unresolved inflammation after calving. The research focus is directed towards helping cows resolve post-calving inflammation to better defend and protect themselves. Proper supply of critical nutrients to the immune system enables the resolving of inflammation sooner and the re-allocation of nutrients to productive purposes.

Agrarian Solutions is pleased to announce the release of Cow Start™ Complete, a next-generation transition-cow bolus. The Cow Start Complete supplies essential nutrients and co-factors to enable the cow’s body and immune system to rebuild and protect itself efficiently and effectively. A unique seaweed featured in Cow Start Complete provides over seventy micronutrients, highly absorbable magnesium, and provides a gradual calcium pay-out to meet the needs for the important nutrient over the first 48 hours post-calving. The product is further strengthened with added vitamin D3, rumen-protected selenium, and vitamin E.

Controlled, randomized research indicates that administering Cow Start Complete at calving aids in resolving inflammation and allows nutrients to be allocated to productive purposes: milk production and reproductive success. Additionally, Cow Start Complete is the only transition cow bolus on the market that supplies calcium and has documented research with improvements in milk production, health, and reproductive success.

Reach out to learn more about Cow Start Complete and the full line of Agrarian Solutions products designed to defend and protect cows from inflammation.

Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS, Vice President of Nutrition, Caroline Knoblock, MSc, Director of Nutrition

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The cell wall-deficient bacteria (CWDB) technology in DTX focuses on protecting the animal against mycotoxins by interacting with the intestinal epithelial cells to enhance inherent mycotoxin defenses. The CWDB technology is now complemented by the plant actives curcumin, naringin, and carnosic acid to further aid in protection against and resolving mycotoxin-related inflammation and restoring liver function.

The powerful research behind the LivOx combination started in rodents (Gladine et. al, 2007), chicks (Zhang et. al, 2016), and sheep (Gladine et. al, 2007) and found conclusively that curcumin, naringin, and carnosic acid were present in the plasma and liver in each experiment. Other molecules used in these studies did not pass this test and the researchers were unable to detect the other molecules in body tissues.

With the absorption test completed, the body of research behind curcumin, naringin, and carnosic acid sought to measure the impact of these plant actives on the animal. This research verified that the three plant actives increased the antioxidant status of the animals, whether it was sheep challenged with a pro-oxidant diet (Gladin et. al., 2007), fresh dairy cows (Michelotti et. al., 2021), or small chicks (Zhang et. al., 2016).

What intrigued Agrarian the most was the research proving the efficacy of these plant actives in dairy cattle during their most challenging time – the fresh period. These cows can succumb to the typical transition cow diseases such as metritis, mastitis, ketosis, and rumen upsets. It is our role as nutritionists and researchers to support the cow during this time and increase her capacity to manage her environment. Several studies have fed these plant actives to transition cows and seen positive responses.

Michelotti et. al., 2021, gave fresh dairy cows a pulse dose of carnosic acid via IV for the first three days after calving. The cows that received carnosic acid made 6.3kg/d more ECM than cows that received the saline control. The cows that received carnosic acid also had reduced inflammation after calving shown by a lower inflammatory markers in their blood stream. Carnosic acid infusion after calving likely helped the cows better manage their immune system and inflammation, reducing the nutrient draw to the immune system and increasing milk yield.

Naringin is an important component of the plant active mixture because it increases the bioavailability of curcumin, but it also has some antioxidant benefits itself. Li et. al. (2024) measured the impact of feeding naringin to cows before and after calving on fat mobilization and ketosis, as well as inflammation. Cows fed naringin had increased milk yield of 3.7kg/d and reduced fat mobilization, leading to a healthier metabolic response and reduced inflammation.

Two weeks before calving and one week after calving cow were fed the three plant actives, curcumin, naringin, and carnosic acid together in a study by Kumprechtova et. al. (2022). A novel finding of this study was the measurement of uterine involution and recovery post-calving. Cows fed the plant active mix had significantly faster postpartum recovery shown by reduced uterine contents and better uterine tone 10 days after calving. Concurrently, the cows fed the plant actives had decreased inflammation, better liver health, and healthier metabolic status.

The choice to enhance DTX with the plant actives curcumin, naringin, and carnosic acid was not taken lightly. Agrarian Solutions is proud of the body of research behind the plant actives and will continue to be a leader in mycotoxin protection.

Caroline Knoblock, MSc, – Director of Nutrition, Agrarian Solutions and Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS – Vice President of Nutrition

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Fortunately, we are not completely at the mercy of the weather. Anything we can do to keep our soil and plants healthy will help them fight off mycotoxin-causing molds. There are a few things that are in our control such as not spreading spoiled silage on fields, crop rotation, and hybrid choices.

The health of our crops begins and ends in the soil. Soil is a reservoir for molds of all kinds, and the things we do can increase or decrease the amount of mycotoxin-causing molds in the soil. The best advice to reduce the amount of mycotoxin-causing molds in soils is to counsel farms to not spread visibly moldy, spoiled silage on their fields. They are re-inoculating their soils with the molds that made the mycotoxins and other spoilage issues. Moldy silage should also never be fed to animals. It is high in molds and mycotoxins that will cause rumen upset, intestinal damage, and reproductive issues. Composting is the best method for dealing with spoiled forages. It may be difficult to find room on the farm to add to the compost, but it will pay dividends.

Crop rotation may be enough to break the mold cycle in soils for some farms. Planting corn every year may be necessary for forage needs, but it is creating an environment in the soil where mycotoxin-causing molds thrive. A healthy soil microbiome is essential for reducing the amounts of mycotoxin-causing molds, and rotating in a nitrogen fixing crop such as soybeans or alfalfa every few years will go a long way for soil health and breaking the mold growth cycle. These crops also leave less residue that harbors molds.

Hybrid choices for corn may become an option that helps significantly reduce the risk of mold infection in our crops, but it is not yet a perfect solution. In the drier parts of the U.S., hybrid selection for drought-resistant corn has significantly reduced the amount of aflatoxin in the corn crop. There is no hybrid for mycotoxin prevention, but hybrid choices that are optimal for your growing area may create a healthier plant that will be more resistant to mycotoxin-causing molds.

There is still a lot we do not understand about preventing mycotoxin-causing molds in our forages. But the things we can influence may have a positive impact on our crops and their ability to withstand mold infection. The number one advice is to stop spreading spoiled silage on the fields, followed by crop rotation and proper hybrid selection.

DTX™ will protect your cows from mycotoxins once it is in the feed – and Agrarian Solution is here to help you and your clients prevent mycotoxin contamination before it happens.

Caroline Knoblock, MSc, – Director of Nutrition, Agrarian Solutions and Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS – Vice President of Nutrition

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Michelotti et al. (2021) utilized an intravenous (IV) infusion of carnosic acid to evaluate the benefits of this powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule would benefit recently freshened dairy cows. From day 1 to 3 after calving, the researchers daily administered via IV either a saline solution (8 cows) or carnosic acid (0.3 mg/kg BW, 8 cows). Blood samples collected at -7, 2, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days relative to calving were analyzed to determine effects on energy metabolism, lean tissue breakdown, liver health, inflammation and oxidative stress. Importantly, cows receiving carnosic acid produced more (P<0.10) milk (4.5 kg/d) and energy-corrected milk (6.3 kg/d) than the control cows during the three weeks post-freshening despite no difference in dry matter intake. Further, the carnosic acid cows had lower (P<0.01) haptoglobin on day 2 after calving. Additional details on the benefits of carnosic acid for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in recently freshened cows are available in the interesting research article.

While curcumin is cited for enhancing the strength of intestinal tight junctions, the low bioavailability of the plant active has limited its practicality. Perez de Albuquerque et al. (2023) examined the potential of naringin to increase the intestinal permeability (P_app) to curcumin with human colon carcinoma cell (Caco-2) monolayers. The Caco-2 are often used for in vitro evaluation of intestinal integrity and permeability. The Papp of curcumin was increased from 26.34% without naringin to 100.45% with naringin, demonstrating the importance naringin inclusion when curcumin is supplemented to enhance intestinal integrity. You can read the complete research article here.

The plant active technology provided by carnosic acid, curcumin and naringin complements the cell wall-deficient bacteria to provide a synergistic interaction to defend and protect intestinal integrity and liver health of dairy and beef cattle. Agrarian Solutions will be providing further updates on the research supporting these important plant molecules.

Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS – Vice President of Nutrition and Caroline Knoblock, MSc, – Director of Nutrition, Agrarian Solutions

The post A New Era in Dairy Nutrition: Curcumin, Naringin & Carnosic Acid appeared first on Agrarian Solutions.

The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) manual lists various plant sources of spices, essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extractives that have achieved Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to be fed to livestock in the U.S. (2024 AAFCO Official Publication pages 535-538). The phytochemical sector has made tremendous progress in researching essential oils and plant extracts to understand and identify the basic plant molecules or actives for enhancing and protecting animal health and performance.

A key phytochemical researcher approached Agrarian Solutions with the research-supported LivOx proprietary blend of plant actives from turmeric, naringin, and rosemary. More specifically, turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is the source of the plant active curcumin to strengthen the tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells. Importantly, the curcumin bioavailability is enhanced by the addition of the plant active naringin, originating from citrus peels. Rosemary provides the third plant active, carnosic acid, for powerful antioxidant properties to protect the liver, and potentially other body cells, as well.

Bolstering our time-proven cell wall-deficient bacteria with curcumin, naringin, and carnosic acid is the next step in defending and protecting intestinal integrity and liver function during periods of mycotoxin challenges. We will be contacting you soon with more information on this enhancement of the Agrarian products.

Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS – Vice President of Nutrition and Caroline Knoblock, MSc, – Director of Nutrition, Agrarian Solutions

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Written By: Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS Vice President of Nutrition

These new members of the team are designed with an emphasis on boosting ruminal fermentation and whole digestive tract health. Not all microbial counts are equal, and these products feature 9 billion CFU of beneficial bacteria and yeast per Microbial Bolus or 15 ml Microbial Gel. Both products also utilize egg-based specialized proteins and vitamins to dominate digestive pathogens and enhance immune function.

New & Enhanced

The trusted and long-proven BioFresh® Bolus is now transformed into the BioFresh® Microbial Bolus!

• Faster bounce-back for fresh cows
• Restore feed intake and ruminal fermentation for off-feed cows
• Enhance immune function for challenged and high SCC cows

Join The Excitement!

Dairy and beef producers are reporting great results with the newly introduced BioFresh® Microbial Gel and cite these benefits:

Faster return to feed intake after off-feed periods.
Reduced health treatments needed and fewer re-treats needed

Ideally designed for

• Newly weaned cattle
• Cows at calving
• Assist with health treatments

“We gate cut some sale-barn calves upon arrival at our feedlot and gave one pen the BioFresh® Microbial Gel at initial processing. The Gel pen had 40% fewer pulls, lower medication costs and took off on feed faster than the control pen.” – Allison Ott – Maize, KS

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