Scientists continue to learn more about the importance of colostrum in newborn calves. The first 24 hours of life remain the most critical period for them to ingest colostrum. Beyond the well-known, lifetime benefits linking colostrum and immune system function, ongoing research indicates colostrum helps develop other organs after birth.
Source: High Plains Journal, January 16, 2016.
You may know that a calf’s gut is not fully closed until after it gets something in its stomach, but it’s now pretty clear how critical it is that “something” be colostrum. There’s usually about 24 hours until the animal’s chance of absorbing antibodies into the bloodstream is greatly decreased, but if it consumes anything besides colostrum first, that window is much narrower.
“It’s not really selective. There’s nothing in that calf’s gut that picks out the antibodies and leaves everything else. Essentially the gut grabs bunches of stuff in the gut and engulfs it and dumps it out into the bloodstream,” says Dr. Brian Vander Ley, University of Missouri veterinarian.
INSIGHTS: Dr. Vander Ley also recommends using a true colostrum replacer instead of a supplement. Veterinarians and sales personnel will value this article that deals with product selection and use with customers. Consider the ways this resource could adjust the longstanding price vs. efficacy value discussion on the many products available today.