Video: How to handle colostrum so newborn calves thrive
Properly managing colostrum on your beef cattle operation can minimize the risk of disease and death and increase growth in pre-weaned calves. Ensuring each calf has received adequate colostrum within the first 24 hours of life will provide calves with a healthy start.
This video is an overview of the importance of delivering at least two litres (or 8.5 cups; 0.5 gallons) of colostrum within the first few hours of life. When providing colostrum to newborn calves, the best source is from within your own herd. If that’s unavailable, consider a packaged colostrum replacement with a minimum of 100g IgG (not colostrum supplement). Always avoid sourcing colostrum from other farms (including dairy) to prevent disease spread, and NEVER microwave frozen colostrum.