Milk fever prevention that works – because we know how

The transition period is one of the most demanding phases in a dairy cow’s production cycle. Around calving, clinical and subclinical hypocalcaemia can affect cow performance, increase the need for interventions and place additional pressure on farm teams.

Successful milk fever prevention therefore requires more than an effective product. It depends on choosing the right strategy, integrating it correctly into the ration and adapting it to the individual farm.

More than a product

X-Zelit is backed by many years of international experience in transition feeding. Vilofoss advisers support farmers and nutritionists in assessing the existing feeding programme, available forages, grouping routines and the timing and consistency of X-Zelit feeding.

This practical support helps ensure that the strategy is implemented correctly and that X-Zelit can deliver its optimal effect under real farm conditions.

“After more than ten years with X-Zelit in Germany, I have seen how much difference the right transition strategy can make. For me, the greatest strength of X-Zelit is its reliability and flexibility. It can be used with many different rations and forage types, provided that the farm management is adapted accordingly. In 2025 alone, approximately 103,000 cows in Germany received X-Zelit during the transition period.” 

Dr. Katrin Metzger-Petersen
Specialist Department Cattle, Vilofoss Germany

One principle, many farm systems

X-Zelit can be used across a wide range of farm sizes, forage bases and production systems. Its mode of action gives nutritionists greater flexibility when formulating close-up rations and reduces the need for the intensive monitoring associated with some other transition strategies.

Experiences from Europe, North America and Latin America show that the same principle can be adapted successfully to very different farming conditions.

“Since introducing X-Zelit on our first farms in Spain in 2021, I have directly advised around 50 farms and supported many nutritionists working with cooperatives and independently. What impresses me most is that X-Zelit delivers reliable results across very different production systems—from intensive, high-yielding farms to pasture-based herds in Latin America. Compared with DCAD strategies, it is simpler to manage and requires less intensive monitoring. When used correctly, we consistently see clinical hypocalcaemia reduced to levels close to zero.”

Victor Marcen Lupiañez
Ruminant Expert, Vilofoss Spain

Correct implementation makes the difference

“With more than 35 years of experience in the dairy industry, I have worked with many different transition strategies. Today, I advise large California dairy farms ranging from approximately 1,300 to 8,000 cows, with an average herd size of around 3,000 cows. What impresses me about X-Zelit is that it delivers consistent results while giving nutritionists greater flexibility in prepartum ration formulation. In practice, this can mean fewer calcium boluses, fewer interventions around calving and an approach that is easier for both the farm team and the nutritionist to manage.”

Miguel Morales
Veterinarian, Protekta, California, USA

Healthier transitions and smoother calving

When correctly integrated into the farm’s transition programme, X-Zelit supports calcium balance around calving and helps reduce the risk of milk fever. Fewer urgent interventions can make daily work more predictable, while a smoother transition supports the cow’s start into lactation.

From family farms in Europe to large dairy operations in California and pasture-based systems in Latin America, our experts combine global experience with local support.

Would you like to know how X-Zelit could fit into your transition strategy? Contact your local Vilofoss adviser.