X-Zelit vs. DCAD
| DCAD | X-Zelit | |
| Is simply mixed into normal ration | NO | YES |
| Is only started 2 weeks prior to calving | NO | YES |
| Neutral taste, readily consumed in grain mix; reduces feed wastage | NO | YES |
| Unaffected by potassium; Can continue dairy cows on late-cut clover grass or fresh pasture |
NO | YES |
| Requires special dietary changes | YES | NO |
| Requires low-potassium forage | YES | NO |
| Requires extra ration rebalancing | YES | NO |
| Requires urine pH testing | YES | NO |
Anionic salts (DCAD) have been prevalent in many countries for 30 years. In the very countries where there has been a tradition of using anionic salts, the introduction of X-Zelit had a rapid spread. In our experience this is due to the fact that farmers are used to focusing on the dry cows and thus have worked with products against hypocalcaemia already. Therefore, they also know how difficult it is to handle DCAD in practice and that the success rate is low. Simple comparisons of plasma calcium levels at calving easily demonstrate the difference between X-Zelit and feeding with anionic salts. Many farmers perform this test on-farm.
An Australian trial from 2018 has directly compared the effect of feeding with X-Zelit vs. DCAD. The trial examined blood calcium content, productivity, rumination time and milk yield (Figure 1). Cows supplemented with X-Zelit demonstrated higher plasma calcium values in early lactation compared to DCAD feeding. The improvement was also observed in the production traits as both milk yield and rumination time was higher for the X-Zelit supplemented cows. The rumination time was significantly increased in the X-Zelit group, which confirms other experiments which demonstrate that the animals appear to be better equipped for the upcoming lactation.
Figure 1a and 1b – Ruminating time and milk production for groups of cows been supplemented either X-Zelit or Bio-Chlor:
X-Zelit simplifies the prevention of subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows
Another field trial that compared X-Zelit as a calcium and phosphorus binder to a DCAD diet was performed in two large commercial farms in the US. Blood samples were taken within the first 24 hours after calving. The average plasma calcium level was higher in the X-Zelit groups on both farms, with a lower frequency of subclinical hypocalcemia.
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