There is a key element to ensure you have a healthy calf— colostrum. It’s high in immunoglobulins that help prevent infection, fat, energy, vitamins A and D and white blood cells, according to Progressive Farmer.
The first 24 hours after calving are critical to monitor and provide supplemental colostrum if the calf isn’t getting any.
Research has shown calves that don’t get enough colostrum or a high enough quality colostrum within the first 24 hours are 3.2 to 9.5 times more likely to become sick and 5.4 times more likely to die before weaning.
If calves are not up and nursing within one hour, ranchers need to be ready to take action. W. Mark Hilton, DVM, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, recommends always having replacer on hand.
Hilton said don’t go to another source for colostrum replacer.
“Never do that. Never go buy colostrum from some other herd owner. You may be buying a new disease. It’s not worth the risk. Only use colostrum you’ve collected from your own herd or colostrum replacer,” Hilton said.
For best absorption, it’s recommended to administer replacer in a one-time oral dose. The first six hours of the calf’s life are when the best absorption takes place. From there, it decreases considerably.