Calf Talk

April, 2006

Volume 12, No. 4

EPIC CALF ELECTROLYTE

By: Russ Schnepper, D.V.M.

Bioniche has introduced another new product for use in baby calves, both dairy and beef calves. It can be used in calves on milk replacer or whole milk, or with calves nursing their mothers. The Epic Calf Electrolyte formula is conveniently packaged in an individual foil pouch. Mix the contents of one pouch with two quarts of water and give to the calf, by bucket, nipple bottle or esophageal tube. The individual pouch provides the convenience of easy dosing with one product, rather than measuring out a dose from an open container of epic and another container of electrolyte. This is especially handy for dosing an individual calf. Open containers draw moisture and seldom is the dosing correct from a bulk container.

Each pouch contains a therapeutic dose of Epic. Epic provides IgY antibodies from “immune egg” protein. Laying hens are hyper immunized with vaccines made from those pathogens of most importance in calf scours..

Specific antibodies are expressed in the hen’s “immune eggs”. They are harvested to optimize the quality and quantity of expressed antibodies.

Egg protein is dried, antibodies are quantified, combined from several flocks and blended with the electrolyte formula, using a patented process. EPIC (Egg Protein In Complexes)

The electrolyte portion meets the recent recommendations for the “ideal formula” as quoted in the Hoard’s Dairyman article by Dr. Geof Smith of the North Carolina State University Veterinary School. The article appears in the January 26, 2006 issue on page number 50. The electrolyte contains 92 mM/L of sodium (the ideal is between 90 and 130 micromoles per liter of solution.)

The calf must be able to absorb the sodium you provide. Even in calves that have diarrhea and intestinal damage, there are three major pathways for sodium absorption: glucose, volatile fatty acids (such as acetate or propionate), and neutral amino acids (such as glycine).” Epic Calf Electrolyte contains acetate and glycine.

Proper absorption of the electrolyte requires an osmolality value between 350 and 600. Epic Electrolyte osmolality value is 360 mOsm/L.

Acetate does not increase the pH of the abomasum, whereas bicarbonate does. Acetate and proprionate inhibit the growth of Salmonella. Acetate and proprionate produce energy when metabolized.

The bottom line is, Bioniche has come up with a well formulated, and effective product that is very palatable to the calf. It is user friendly for both the calf feeder and the baby calf.

Contact information for ordering information and questions about our products:

Schnepper International, Inc.

3210 County B, Platteville, WI 53818

608-348-6141, Fax: 608-348-6146