Dave Jones replaced a DCAD transition diet with X-Zelit and reported zero clinical milk fever cases across 450 cows calved — at about the same feed cost, with far fewer transition problems.
Hear how X-Zelit fitted into Dave’s transition program, why palatability mattered, and what changed across milk fever, mastitis, retained afterbirths and herd health.
cases across 450 cows calved
mastitis and retained afterbirths reported
using conservative placeholder before-rates
Dave’s key point was not that X-Zelit was cheaper feed. He described the cost as about the same as the DCAD diet it replaced — but with far fewer problems.
Dave described large clinical and subclinical milk fever incidents under the previous transition approach. The DCAD ration created a practical problem: cows did not want to eat the full ration.
In his words, the cows were only eating about half the ration, which made the transition program difficult to rely on when the herd needed it most.
X-Zelit replaced the DCAD diet in Dave’s program. The feed cost was described as about the same, but the practical difference was in the problems that disappeared.
Dave reported that X-Zelit worked even when cows were not eating a full ration — solving the palatability issue that had undermined the previous approach.
Across 450 cows calved, Dave reported zero clinical milk fever cases. He also reported 9 mastitis cases in the first 21 days, approximately 9 retained afterbirths, and a cell count averaging under 80.
The broader result was a cleaner transition: very good herd health, easier calvings, fewer assists and the potential for better fertility through fewer retained afterbirths.
Dave’s testimonial points to a broader transition benefit: fewer fresh cow problems, easier calving and stronger milk quality indicators.
Dave’s key economic point was that X-Zelit was about the same feed cost as the DCAD diet it replaced — but with far fewer transition problems. The value comes from fewer clinical cases, fewer fresh-cow issues, easier calvings and stronger milk-quality indicators.
Dave reported zero clinical milk fever cases across 450 cows calved.
Reported in the first 21 days after calving, approximately 2% of cows.
Approximately 2% of cows, supporting a cleaner transition period.
Average SCC reported under 80, supporting milk quality and premium potential.
X-Zelit replaced the DCAD diet at about the same feed cost, while Dave reported zero milk fever and stronger fresh-cow outcomes.
“We’ve calved 450 cows and we haven’t had one case of milk fever.”
“It’s about the same cost, but we’ve had far fewer problems.”
“The cell count is averaging under 80.”
“The herd health has been very good.”
Speak with Quadrant Farming Solutions about X-Zelit for your close-up transition program.