Dairy farmers are showing interest in feeding colostrum or transition milk for several days after birth to protect calves from disease, but the first feed remains the most important step, Penn State Extension veterinarian Vinicius Buiatte says in advice reported by Farms.com.

A newborn calf's ability to absorb its mother's antibodies through the gut falls sharply within about 12 hours and essentially ends by 24 hours. Buiatte recommends feeding about 10% of the calf's body weight in high-quality colostrum, with at least 50 mg of IgG per millilitre, in the first two to six hours of life.

Extended feeding means giving colostrum or transition milk, usually from the cow's second to sixth milkings, after that first day. Colostrum carries far more protein and fat than ordinary milk, along with antibodies, immune cells, growth factors and oligosaccharides that may help the immune system, gut development and healthy gut microbes.

The evidence is growing. A 2024 review by Renaud and Steele suggested several days of colostrum or transition milk may benefit intestinal development. Michigan State University found calves given transition milk for three days were heavier and had better-developed intestines than calves on milk replacer alone, and Washington State University reported fewer cases of scours and less antibiotic use in calves given colostrum powder with milk replacer for 14 days.

The practice has costs and risks. Pooling milk from several cows can spread disease, so storage, pasteurisation, freezing or commercial replacers need attention, and supply and herd health vary from farm to farm. Buiatte says more research is needed before firm recommendations can be made for different dairies.

Photo: ŠJů / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Source: Farms.com