An Iowa veterinarian disputes traditional thinking that newborn calves have 24 hours to take in colostrum.
He says that newborns with inadequate absorption of colostrum are more susceptible to disease, lower weaning weights, and poorer immune function.
Instead, he tells Brownfield Ag News, if the calf fails to nurse within a couple of hours after birth, they will need a colostrum supplement. If they fail to nurse within six to twelve hours, he says they will need a full replacer.
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