Mayo Iodine Max Boluses Help Increase Fertility at Clawdd Offa Farm, Flintshire

David Williams farms alongside his wife Carol, their daughter Vicky and sister-in-law Sue in Mold, North Wales. 

The family runs a 300-cow spring calving unit at Clawdd Offa farm, with 140 replacement heifers including stock bulls.  The herd is run on an all-grass based system with constituents of 9.1% solids over a 270-day lactation. The family switched to the system 20 years ago and 10 years later they decided to milk once a day to afford them more quality family time. ‘We’re AI’ing for 5-6 weeks and then we put the bulls in to sweep up’, David comments. 

Previously, the Williams’ were supplying their cows with trace elements via the water system but with 3 separate water supplies, this was proving difficult.   

The family used the herd’s bloods and liver biopsies to determine their trace element status.   “We decided to look at an alternative method of supplying trace elements to the cows as they were deficient in Iodine and Copper.  This is when we came across the High Iodine, ‘All Guard Cattle plus Copper’ from Mayo Animal Healthcare” says David. 

The bolus leaches out a constant supply of Cobalt, Selenium, Iodine and Copper for up to 6 months.  By administering the bolus 6 weeks prior to calving it supports the unborn calf in the later stages of pregnancy as well as supporting the cows fertility when mating starts. 

“Our 6 week in-calf scan rate prior to using the ‘All Guard Cattle’ bolus was running at 65%. Since switching to the Mayo boluses 3 seasons ago our scan rate jumped to 87% and has remained there since” Vicky comments.  “The boluses weren’t the only thing we changed that year but getting the trace element status right has definitely played a big part in improving our herds fertility which means more days in milk, an increase in yields as well as profits.” Vicky adds. 

Williams Family
Clawdd Offa Farm, North Wales