Evaluate colostrum replacers carefully

Research shows a calf’s colostral antibody requirement for adequate passive transfer is about 80 to 100 grams. However, don’t assume a colostrum replacer with that level or more will deliver adequate passive transfer.

A North Carolina State University study in the June Journal of Dairy Science found that calves fed two or three bags of a commercial colostrum replacer had much lower serum total protein and serum IgG concentrations than calves fed 4 quarts of fresh colostrum. As a result, they had significantly higher rates of failure of passive transfer (please see the table below).

Bottom line: Look beyond the label. Choose products based on proven research, says Geof Smith, North Carolina State University veterinarian.

1Failure of passive transfer was defined as a serum Igg concentration less than
1,000 mg per deciliter. Source: June 2007 Journal of Dairy Science, page 2905-2908.

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