Getting Every Calf Off To A Great Start
Mar 04, 2020
Throughout the course of gestation, a cow provides the calf with a sterile environment to grow, and provides the fetus with all the nutrients it needs. However, because of this sterile environment calves are born without antibodies in their bloodstream, and become vulnerable to diseases.
In order to provide the calf with the best possible start to life a mother provides colostrum to their young within the first 24 hours of life. Colostrum transfers immunity against infectious diseases and growth factors from the mother to the calf.
Whether we like to admit it or not, we sometimes run into environments that don’t allow that cow to provide colostrum for their calf. During this time, Purina highly recommends providing colostrum within the first 24 hours of life. Calves are born with only a limited amount of energy reserves in stored fat. Newborns don’t have the ability to digest proteins or carbohydrates but need energy in times of stress. Therefore, all immediate energy to begin metabolism on their own must be consumed from fat in colostrum. Calves who don’t receive supplementation may be associated with increased disease susceptibility and death loss.
When selecting the correct colostrum for your herd, it is important to keep an eye on whether the colostrum is a replacement or a supplement. Colostrum supplements are designed to enhance the colostrum that is already being supplied by the mother. A colostrum replacement is designed to be fed as the sole source of colostrum when no other is available.
Highly palatable and pasteurized for safety, Land O’ Lakes Colostrum Replacement is the only replacement for maternal colostrum that is licensed by the USDA. Land O’ Lakes Colostrum Replacement is easy to feed. Full Circle Ag carries single dose packs for your convenience. Simply mix into 1 quart of 110-120F water, mix with wire whisk or electric mixer. For best results feed the entire dose with a bottle as soon as possible.
Please feel free to contact us if you have questions on colostrum replacement or other nutritional needs.
McKenzie Smith
Purina Animal Nutrition
605-448-2285