Welcoming a newborn calf into the world is a joyous occasion, but ensuring their health and well-being from the start is crucial. Colostrum, the first milk produced by a cow after calving, plays a vital role in providing essential antibodies and nutrients to the newborn calf. In this blog post, we'll delve into the key aspects of colostrum management in newborn calves, including when to intervene, how much to give, and the importance of quality colostrum.
When to Intervene
Timing is critical when it comes to colostrum intake for newborn calves. Antibodies from the colostrum are absorbed through large opening within the small intestine. These large openings begin to close immediately after birth; and within 24 hours no longer allow antibodies to transfer from small intestine to the bloodstream. Ideally, a calf should receive colostrum within the first few hours of birth to maximize the absorption of antibodies. If a calf is unable to nurse from its mother or the quality or quantity of colostrum is insufficient, intervention is necessary. This could involve hand-feeding colostrum via a bottle or tube to ensure the calf receives the necessary nutrients to build a strong immune system.
How Much to Give
The quantity of colostrum a newborn calf should receive is determined by its weight. A general rule of thumb is to provide approximately 10% of the calf's body weight in colostrum within the first few hours of birth. For example, a 100-pound calf should ideally receive around 4 pints of colostrum. Adequate colostrum intake is essential to provide the calf with the necessary antibodies to protect against common infections and diseases.
1 quart of colostrum equals about 2 lbs- 100 lb calf x .10% equals 10 lbs \2 (number of feedings a day)
The Best Colostrum
Quality colostrum is crucial for the health and development of newborn calves. It should have a high concentration of antibodies, known as immunoglobulins, to provide passive immunity to the calf. Your store bought colostrum should be colostrum replacer, not a supplement! Additionally, freshly collected colostrum is preferred over frozen or stored colostrum, as freezing can affect the quality of antibodies. If you can get the mama cow into a head chute and milk the cow out or get the baby latched this is your very best option for the best colostrum. A calf should recieve ideally 150-200 grams of IgG in it's first feeding. The bag of colostrum should state the amount of IgG per serving (bag) it contains. We try to use colostrum that has the highest amount of colostrum per feeding, so we can give smaller amounts but still insure adequate IgG. (Check your bags! Some only have 50 IgG so you will have to give 3-4 bags total within 24 hrs)
For our smaller calves we prefer the KSX, we use 2-3 bags in 24 hrs.
We use Sav-A-Kid goat milk replacer once we have finished giving colostrum. We have noticed healthier, fatter calves, and less scours when using it.
What Happens if Your Calf Doesn't Get the Colostrum it Needs on Time?
The calf surviavl weighs heavily on colostrum management, but there are a few tricks you can do in order to prevent illness if your calf has not recieved adequate colostrum.
Blood/Plasma transfusions (we use a cow that has been on our farm for several years, even calf's dam works well for direct blood transfusion)
Bovi-Sera- is an aid in prevention and treatment for enteric respirartory conditions caused by microrganisms. (We will often give the preventative dose to calves who have missed the window for colostrum vs doing a blood transfusion, if needed we repeat in 48 hrs).
Vaccinate (once calf has had a chance to develop it's own immunity, approx. 4 weeks). Once calf is vaccinated wait an additional 2 weeks for vaccination to be effective before placing calf out with other livestock.
Keep in clean environment away from other livestock until it can get its own immunity built up (approximately 4 weeks)
If you are unsure wether a calf received enough colostrum your vet can perform a total protein or IgG test. There are also at home tests you can use.
What are Some Things to Have on Hand in Case Colostrum is Needed?
Esophageal tube
Goat bottle with small nipple
150-200 IgG Colostrum
Bovi-Sera
Everyone should own an esophageal tube and know how to use it in case of an emergency!
In conclusion, colostrum management is a critical aspect of calf rearing that directly impacts the health and immune response of newborn calves. By understanding when to intervene, how much to give, and the importance of quality colostrum, farmers can ensure the well-being and future productivity of their herd.
Remember, a healthy start with proper colostrum management sets the foundation for a thriving herd!
Transition Protocol with Colostrum
Optimize Your Colostrum Management Today!
This blog post was crafted to provide valuable insights into optimizing colostrum management for newborn calves. From intervention strategies to the importance of quality colostrum, every aspect is crucial for the health and well-being of young calves. These are all products we use, we are not paid to advertise. The KSX video is content used from KSX TikTok account, they are not affiliated with us in any way, we just love their product. Always seek out advice from your vet, this again is what we do.
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