As we kick off another year and farming season, many of us are thinking about routines, workloads and herd performance. But before you dive headfirst into feed plans and breeding schedules, ask yourself: Is your cattle herd nutritionally ready for the year ahead?

The foundation for improved fertility, better growth, higher milk in your cows and fewer health setbacks starts with sound nutrition – and that’s where Four Lakes steps in with two practical solutions every cattle farmer should know about: Calcitop and TraceTop.

Who is Four Lakes?

Four Lakes is a trusted South African supplier of quality livestock nutrition and health products. Their range covers everything from calf care and fertility aids to post-calving support and mineral supplementation. They aim to help farmers achieve stress-free, productive herds through well-formulated products backed by practical use on commercial and small-scale farms alike.

Calcitop: Prevent milk fever and support cows

Every season, milk fever, a metabolic disturbance caused by sudden drops in blood calcium around calving, continues to challenge dairy and beef farmers. Cows experiencing this condition eat less, produce less and are more prone to secondary issues such as retained placentas and uterine disorders.

Calcitop is a fast-acting calcium bolus designed to prevent and mitigate milk fever by rapidly restoring calcium levels when cows need it most.

Why it matters on your farm:

  • Fast calcium release: Helps maintain appetite and rumen function around calving.
  • Balanced minerals and vitamins: Each dose includes calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D3, all key players in calcium metabolism.
  • Easier transition into lactation: Healthy cows get off to a good start in milk production and are less likely to develop costly complications.

How to use it:
Administer two boluses 12 to 24 hours before calving and two immediately after, ideally coordinated with routine herd management around calving time.

Tracetop: Long-term trace mineral and vitamin support

While acute issues such as milk fever grab most of our attention, subclinical deficiencies, those without obvious signs, quietly influence your herd performance throughout the year. Reduced pregnancy rates, poor coat condition, hoof problems and low libido are often linked to subtle shortfalls in trace minerals and vitamins.

Tracetop is a slow-release vitamin and mineral bolus that delivers essential trace elements and fat-soluble vitamins consistently over six months.

Why Tracetop matters:

  • Consistent nutrient supply: Supports fertility, immunity, hoof and coat health, and overall wellbeing.
  • Easy to manage: One bolus lasts approximately six months, no daily mixing or reliance on licking blocks.
  • Better herd performance: Cattle with balanced nutrition are more disease-resistant and productive.

How to use it:

  • Dairy herds: Give one Tracetop bolus every six months.
  • Adult cattle over 250 kg: One bolus when putting out to graze and one when stabling, or simply one every six months.

Don’t overlook hoof health 

While nutrition plays a critical role in herd performance, hoof health remains one of the most important and often underestimated aspects of cattle management. Lameness not only affects animal welfare, but also reduces feed intake, milk and fertility.

Four Lakes addresses this challenge with Hoofmat and Hoofzinc Plus, two practical solutions designed to support strong, healthy hooves in both dairy and beef herds. Hoofmat is a ready-to-use hoof bath solution that helps control common hoof problems by reducing hoof problems in high-traffic areas such as parlours and handling facilities. Hoofzinc Plus, on the other hand, provides targeted supplementation to strengthen hoof quality, improve healing and support overall hoof health.

Hoofzinc Plus is a liquid Zinc, Copper and Glutaraldehyde formula that highly effective in preventing the growth of Fusobacterium necrophorum and Privately melanogenic bacteria known to cause foot rot and Treponema strains genetically and phenotypically similar to those that cause heel warts in cattle and sheep.

Used together as part of a proactive herd health programme, Hoofmat and Hoofzinc help farmers reduce lameness risks, improve mobility and keep cattle productive and comfortable throughout the year.

Practical tips for the season ahead

As you plan breeding, weaning, grazing and feed allocations for the year, don’t overlook the role of micronutrients. Bolus‑based supplementation removes guesswork, every cow gets the correct dose without the hassles of daily supplements, feed mixing or worrying whether vitamin blocks are being used effectively.

Think of it this way:

  • Calcitop supports critical windows around calving and early lactation.
  • Tracetop builds long‑term resilience and helps prevent hidden deficiencies that quietly drag down your herd’s performance.

Contact Four Lakes for more info

If you’d like more details or want to talk to someone about incorporating Calcitop and Tracetop into your herd health plan, here’s how to reach Four Lakes:

Call (+27)21-557-0606 or WhatsApp (+27)83-305-8799, send an email to info@fourlakes.co.za or visit their website www.fourlakes.co.za

Whether you’re managing a dairy herd or a commercial beef operation, giving your cattle the nutritional foundation they need sets you up for better performance and profitability all year long. Here’s to a healthy, productive 2026 on your farm!