Achieving high levels of circulating IgG in newborn calves may be easier by boosting maternal colostrum with commercial colostrum replacer. It give calves the best of both worlds when it comes to maximizing passive transfer of immunity.
Source: Dairy Herd Management, May 6, 2022. Link.
With excellent dry-cow vaccination and colostrum protocols in place, supplementing maternal colostrum with high-quality colostrum replacer is a practical tool we have at our disposal to deliver IgG and push up immunity levels in calves.” – Adam Geiger.
Also see:
- Cows put their own calcium into milk – more than half of mature cows have subclinical hypocalcemia, Animal Health Digest, October 20, 2020. Link.
- Search Results for: colostrum. Animal Health Digest. Link.
INSIGHTS: Colostrum, colostrum, colostrum! It may seem our industry is beating the proverbial drum to death. Yet, the more we learn about what we expect from a cow during transition and calving, colostrum quality and availability remain important factors in how well the new calf produces throughout its lifetime.
Considering the churn of people handling cows, the need for routine and continuing education about colostrum management remains a priority for animal health pros.” – Kirk Augustine