
Episode #47
Silberhorn Animal Health: Calcium’s Role in Fresh Cow Health
Welcome back to the American Dairymen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, he’s the Publisher of the American Dairymen and he sits down with Tucker Silberhorn and Dr. Dave Ellefson of Silberhorn Animal Health to explore one of the most important challenges facing fresh cows: maintaining healthy calcium levels during the transition into lactation. Calcium supports far more than milk production. From muscle contractions and nerve function to immune response and digestion, this essential mineral helps keep cows functioning properly. But as colostrum production begins and milk demand increases, a cow’s calcium needs can quickly outpace the amount available in her bloodstream. In this episode, Tucker and Dr. Ellefson discuss how cows respond to low calcium, why that response takes time, and how delayed recovery can create problems beyond clinical milk fever. Tucker and Dr. Ellefson also review familiar management approaches, including intravenous calcium, conventional oral calcium products, DCAD diets, and zeolite feeding strategies. They discuss the role these tools play while highlighting the challenge of supporting cows through the critical days following calving. Silberhorn Animal Health has their own calcium support product, Goff-Bol. Tucker explains how its formulation combines rapidly available calcium with Solanum glaucophyllum plant material. They describe how these components are designed to provide immediate support and extend calcium assistance through approximately four days after calving. Because dairy operations use different feeding programs, the discussion also covers Goff-Bol DCAD, Goff-Bol Max, and an organic option. Tucker and Dr. Dave explain why matching a product to the farm’s existing nutritional strategy matters, particularly when managing acidification in cows receiving a DCAD ration. They also explore the practical value of a single administration at calving, discussing how fewer follow-up treatments can simplify protocols and reduce demands on busy dairy teams. Whether you’re a dairy producer, veterinarian, nutritionist, or someone interested in transition cow management, this episode offers an accessible look at calcium’s importance and the thinking behind tailored fresh cow support. Tune in for a conversation that brings chemistry, veterinary experience, and farm management together around healthier cows and productive dairy herds. For previous episodes of the American Dairymen visit our website: https://americandairymen.com American Dairymen Podcast is Sponsored By: Moly Manufacturing Central Life Sciences Medgene Forge





