Colostrum replacers not created equal

The effectiveness of colostrum-replacement products can be quite variable, even when fed to deliver the same amount of immunoglobulins. Why is that?

“There is a significant difference in how well the antibodies in different products are absorbed,” notes Geof Smith, veterinarian at North Carolina State University.

A side-by-side product comparison, reported in the October 2006 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, shows just how true that is. In the study, 81 percent of calves fed a commercial colostrum replacer containing 100 grams of immunoglobulin G achieved adequate passive transfer. However, only 10 percent of calves fed a different commercial product with an equivalent amount of IgG achieved adequate passive transfer.

Both products were derived from maternal colostrum.

Product B shown in the table below could be considered an alternative to colostrum in dairy calves, say the researchers, but Product A failed to routinely provide adequate serum IgG concentrations. The results shown below also reiterate the importance of evaluating colostrum replacers for effectiveness prior to feeding them.

¹Adequate passive transfer was defined as a serum IgG concentration greater than 1,000 mg per deciliter.

Source: Oct. 15, 2006 Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, page 1282-1285.

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