Not all Colostrum is created equal: Why Fat matters more than you Think for Calves
Introduction Colostrum is natures first and most powerful nourishment for a calf, setting them up for short- and long-term health and productivity. Notably, the fat that is in colostrum (besides the obvious antibodies) is ESSENTIAL in getting calves up, excited to be alive and thriving through to weaning and as a member of the herd. […]
More Than an Antibody Bolus: The Benefits of Colostrum Beyond IgGs
Colostrum has evolved alongside calves to serve as more than just an antibody bolus. It provides critical nutrients essential to survive the jarring transition from utero to the outside environment and delivers signals that tell tissues how to grow, differentiate and defend. This liquid gold is a calf’s first functional feed. It contributes to tissue […]
7 THINGS TO HAVE IN STOCK THIS CALVING SEASON
The first 24 hours of a calf’s life are the most critical. As we prepare for calving, taking inventory of the tools that need to be on hand should be top of mind before the first calf hits the ground. Make sure everything goes smooth this calving season by being prepared with our Veterinarian-Approved Pre-Calving […]
IMPROVING HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE WITH COLOSTRUM
Most cattle producers understand that calves should receive colostrum on the first day of life. However, they don’t often consider just how impactful that first meal can be and the benefits beyond increased immunity. New research reinforces that successful passive transfer of immunity in newborn beef calves can unlock major performance and extra weaning weight […]
FEEDING COLOSTRUM AS A THERAPY FOR DIARRHEA IN PREWEANED CALVES
With the ever changing global limitations on antibiotic use and the increased need for more natural therapies, colostrum has shown to be an effective alternative to minimize the days to resolution of diarrhea and improve average daily gain in preweaned calves. Diarrhea in preweaning calves is a multifactorial disease that is contracted due to a […]
VET-APPROVED – CALVING SEASON CHECKLIST
As we prepare for the upcoming calving season, there are some essential items that we as producers should be gathering for our calving toolkit. Calving can quickly become an emergency situation, and you want to be ready, whenever that first calf hits the ground. Checklist: Additional Tips For Calving Season Success: Download the checklist
WHY TIMING MATTERS FOR NEWBORN CALVES
The birth of a calf marks the beginning of a new life on the farm and a critical window of opportunity. Colostrum, the first milk produced by a a cow after giving birth, is a powerhouse of essential nutrients and antibodies crucial for the calf’s health and development. Timing is everything, especially when it comes […]
GIVING DYSTOCIA CALVES A BETTER START
Pulling a calf is never easy and typically leaves you, the cow and the calf stressed and exhausted. Sometimes it’s frustrating that those calves you rescued end up being the most likely to get sick and perform poorly. Why might that be? These dystocia calves may suffer from a wide range of problems following a […]
TIPS FOR KEEPING CALVES COOL
Everyone knows summer heat can have a large impact on a dairy herd, but the impact on calves is often overlooked. Heat stress can have long term effects on the future productivity of growing heifers. As calves feel the summer heat, help keep them comfortable by following a few simple cooling practices. A calf’s body […]
MANAGING COLOSTRUM TO IMPROVE WEANING
If you can’t escape the sound of bellering cows and calves, it must be weaning season. Weaning can be a stressful time of year, but it can also be a good time to reflect on your process of raising calves. Did you know that 30% of beef calves do not receive adequate colostrum on the […]