André en Willeke van Vliet are the proud owners of the dairy and breeding farm Lakeside Holsteins in Zeewolde, the Netherlands. The Dutch farmers bred a calf with the highest American breeding values twice for Genomics in Europe. 114 Holstein dairycows are located at the 287 acre dairyfarm. They produce an average of 9800 kg of milk with 4,4% fat and 3,5% protein. On a daily basis the dairy farmers dose the Daatox Pro of Daavision.

Two years ago the veterinarian diagnosed a cow with a toxin contamination at the farm of Van Vliet. “We treated the cow with stomach powders and heavy antibiotics”, explains André van Vliet. “But our milk values were ruined. I am glad that our well performing cows were not contaminated with mycotoxins. We always try to run our business as smoothly as possible. From embryo transplants to the fresh cows”, van Vliet continues.

The feed ration at Van Vliets farms consists of haylage and corn (40%). It is known that fungi can be present in corn and therefore it is a high risk product. Fungi can be harmful, as they might form mycotoxins. “The soil of our sillage pit is not protected with foil. Therefore unwanted and harmful fungi and mycotoxins can be present in our sillage. By adding Daatox Pro in the feed mixer we eliminate this risk”.

“By dosing the toxinbinder we use less antibiotics. For example for the treatment of mastitis”, André continues. “If we are able to breed 3 more embryos annually, i.e. pregnant cows, then our investment has already paid off”, Willeke adds.

“Since we started using the Daatox Pro we are more aware. When you are working with embryos you try to optimise as much as possible. Suppose something does not work out the way we thought it would, then we can say with 100% certainty that something is not the cause”, the farmers conclude.