Preparation is crucial for a successful calving season, and one of the most important tools in your calving kit should be a reliable supply of quality colostrum.
Colostrum, the first milk a cow produces after giving birth, is rich in essential nutrients and antibodies. Newborn calves are born without disease protection because antibodies cannot pass from the cow to the fetus through the placenta. However, the antibodies in colostrum provide the vital immunity that newborn calves need to protect them until their own immune systems are fully developed. According to Penn State University, this passive immunity is critical for the health and survival of the calves during their early days.
Source: Penn State
When is it Too Late to Give a Calf Colostrum?
Calves need about two quarts of colostrum (or at least five percent of the calf’s body weight) within four hours of birth – ideally within 30 minutes – and up to a gallon within 12 hours. Time is important because a newborn calf’s digestive tract allows antibodies to pass directly into the blood.
After 24 hours, the calf’s intestines cannot absorb colostrum antibodies intact. The absorbed antibodies provide passive immunity, while antibodies that are not absorbed continue to play a role in the calf’s gut.
Colostrum also contains other protective proteins, including transferrin and lactoferrin. Together with immunoglobulins, the antibodies from the cow, support the newborn calf’s early immune defense. The graph below shows how a calf begins to lose its ability to absorb immunoglobulins from the cow after birth and why time is critical.
Source: Ag Web
What to Give a Weak Calf?
Sometimes, newborn calves may struggle to stand because of stress or cold weather, which can affect how much colostrum they consume. Time is crucial in these situations. That’s where a quick energy source like Start Strong for Calves come in. This natural oral drench is formulated to give newborn calves energy and support appetite as they get up to nurse.
What’s the Best Calf Colostrum to Use?
When a calf is unable to nurse due to problems with the cow or calf, it’s necessary to feed the calf colostrum. Obtain colostrum by milking the cow shortly after calving or using previously acquired colostrum from a healthy cow. It’s important for the acquired colostrum to come from cows in at least their third lactation rather than heifers.
Color and thickness can give you a quick read on quality. Thick, yellow colostrum is typically a good sign, while thin or watery colostrum usually means lower antibody levels. Brown colostrum usually means there’s blood in it. It can still be fed as long as the blood isn’t due to illness, such as mastitis or a sick cow, but it spoils faster and should be fed promptly.
Color and thickness are only a rough guide, though. Testing is the most reliable way to know what you’re actually working with. Two common colostrum testing options:
- Brix refractometer: measures the percent of total solids and sugars in colostrum, which correlates strongly with IgG antibody levels
- Bovine colostrometer: measures specific gravity to estimate antibody concentration
Either tool gives you a much more accurate picture of colostrum quality than color and thickness alone, and takes just a minute or two to use.
Colostrum that has been obtained before must be kept frozen to preserve the integrity of the large protein molecules that make up the antibodies from the cow. Fresh colostrum can be stored in one-quart portions in a resealable bag. Freeze the bags flat in the freezer. When it’s time to thaw the colostrum and feed it to the newborn calf, the recommended method is to thaw it in a warm water bath at 122 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. Avoid thawing at room temperature or in a microwave oven.
What’s the Best Calf Colostrum Replacer?
Calf colostrum replacers typically contain more than 100 grams of immunoglobulin per dose. Before purchasing, remember to carefully read the label to ensure you’re getting the right product. It’s important not to confuse supplements with replacers. While supplements may add to antibody intake, they typically only contain 40 to 60 grams of immunoglobulins, which simply won’t cut it for a calf that hasn’t nursed yet. Select the superior option and give your calf the boost it needs with calf colostrum replacers.
How to Administer Calf Colostrum
Whether through bottle feeding or tube feeding, providing colostrum to newborn calves within a few hours of birth is crucial. The sooner they receive colostrum, the better.
If there’s any doubt about a calf’s colostrum intake, immediate administration is necessary to prevent potential health issues. Calves that miss out on timely colostrum consumption intake end up with lower blood antibody levels, which is why timing matters so much.
The bottom line is that ensuring each calf receives sufficient levels of colostrum is vital for their success. Prioritizing colostrum intake should be every farmer’s top concern!
Support maximum colostrum intake for your calves with Start Strong for Calves. Get them up and nursing quickly to give them the start they deserve! Purchase now.
Start Strong for Calves is an oral drench that supports appetite, digestive health and provides newborns with the energy they require.