From reactive to proactive animal health approach
Since 2014, we as AHV International have been doing everything we can to optimise animal health worldwide. In 2017, the first solutions were launched in the market, mainly by reactive use of products, but rapidly changing the approach from reactive to proactive. Are you curious how this metamorphosis went? In this article you can read more about the journey AHV took with its customers.
History AHV International
The origins of the company date back to 2014, when vet Gertjan Streefland and Jan de Rooy founded the company AHV International. Before AHV entered the market with its solutions, extensive research into the correct formulation and functioning of the products was done for three years. In 2017, AHV then entered the market with the still well-known products:
- AHV Extra Tablet
- AHV Quick Tablet
- AHV Milk Start Tablet
- AHV Booster Powder and Tablet
- AHV Metri Liquid (later this was changed to a Tablet, the well-known AHV Metri Tablet)
- AHV ProLife-S
- AHV Calf Start Powder
- AHV Calf Start Tablet
The above products marked the start for AHV International in dairy farming. However, this was only a beginning and these products were mainly focused on reactive use. Soon, more products were added, often due to results achieved or demands from the market. In addition, the existing products were further developed in terms of formulation over the past year.
Expansion of dairy portfolio
Results from the market were already good, but to improve efficacy and make the animal feel better during reactive use of our products, we started looking for a valuable addition. After testing various formulations, the well-known AHV Aspi was finally launched on the market. A valuable supplement mainly for reactive use of AHV products or in case of an expected strong reaction of the animal. AHV Aspi supports the immune system during recovery periods and promotes the animal’s well-being.
In addition to the AHV Aspi, several new products also appeared on the market. These include the AHV Respi and Reco Paste for calves, as well as the CirQ Support and QS Spray for skin & hygiene. In addition, new compositions or administrations have also been developed for some existing products, often on the advice of you, the farmer. For example, AHV Aspi is now available as a tablet as well as a liquid variant, and AHV Milk Start (later StartLac) and Booster are now available as a paste as well as a tablet. This is to give you, the farmer, the option to choose between a fast or slow release product.
New products will also be launched in the coming year. In 2024, we hope to launch an StartLac Tablet in addition to the StartLac Paste. All this to improve the formulation and effect, but also certainly to increase the user-friendliness for you as a dairy farmer.
From product to program use
Although AHV has seen many positive results from 2017 onwards regarding the use of individual products, it quickly became clear to us that when using the right combinations of products, even more impact can be made in terms of animal health and profitability for you as a farmer. Therefore, in recent years we have increasingly focused on using combinations of products. There are still programs that focus on reactive use to get the animal back on its feet as quickly and well as possible in the case of health challenges, but the focus is increasingly shifting to proactive use of our products.
When proactively applying our products and programs, we not only ensure a healthier herd, but you also see that less reactive products are needed. A cow has a cycle that repeats itself on average every year, if you know at what times a cow is vulnerable, you can proactively respond to it. This is something we have done in recent years and are still trying to optimise. When used at the right moment in the cycle, we not only see positive results in terms of animal health, but also in terms of more and better milk production. In addition, when cows stay healthier, there is also less need for reactive products such as antibiotics. So at the bottom line, you will see a healthier herd and improved profitability, which is what we want to achieve and expand together with you in the coming years!
From proactive approach per cow to proactive approach per herd
In recent years, we have seen both on farms and based on data that animal health improves with the right proactive approach. This brings us to our future plans. Where certain products or combinations of products are currently used proactively among a selection of cows, we want to move towards a total proactive approach for the entire herd. In addition to using the products among the entire herd, there is also more specified guidance from your current AHV Farm Advisor and you will receive regular visits from the AHV Specialist and the AHV Vet. To achieve this, we are already running a lot of trials over the past two years and seeing great results in terms of:
- Increasing average age on the farm
- Reduced calf mortality
- More and improved milk production
- First heat detectable faster
- Fewer open days
- Fewer inseminations needed
- Replacement rate decreases
- Fewer reactive health challenges
We hope to enter the market in 2024 with our new approach called; AHV Herd Health Plan. In this way, we not only continue to develop our products, but also certainly the optimal use and effect of our products in programs. All with the aim of continuing to optimise animal health on your farm and making life as easy and profitable as possible for you as a farmer.
Get in touch!
Would you like to be visited by an advisor to discuss the health challenges on your farm together? Our AHV Specialist will be happy to visit you to jointly assess the health of your cows and come up with appropriate cow-specific advice.
EN – Get in touch
"*" indicates required fields