passive transfer | Ag Proud

Cow-calf rumen health: The foundation for health and performance

Maintaining a healthy rumen in the cow is the first step to jump-starting calf health, optimizing maternal performance and capitalizing on feed savings.

May 8, 2024

Craig Belknap

Rumen health is the cornerstone of a successful cow-calf operation, impacting calf health, maternal performance, feed utilization and, ultimately, economic profitability.

59250-egan-preventing-scours-begins-before-birth-(1).jpg

Calf scours prevention begins before birth

Twelve years ago, researchers estimated that a case of scours cost $56 per head, but that number is likely significantly lower than it should be. To minimize this, farms should focus on genetics, dry cow management, colostrum and transition milk.

April 15, 2024

Kim Egan

“Do you have good luck when it comes to raising calves?” That’s a question you have likely been asked, but when it comes to preventing scours and ensuring calf health, it takes more than luck!

Obstacles to successful calf raising

As more operations refine their calf programs, the negative impact protocol drift has on calf welfare, future performance and business profitability is becoming increasingly apparent.

September 14, 2023

Theresa L. Ollivett

I now view the common risk factors for disease – such as failure of passive transfer, dirty facilities and feeding equipment, cold stress and poor nutrition – as symptoms of a lack of proactive, structured monitoring programs designed to track protocol compliance as well as calf performance.

West: Scours – dealing with it now, preventing it later

February 6, 2023

Meranda Small

As we patiently wait for the turn of the season, producers will continue to keep a watchful eye on young calf health, especially regarding scours.

Transition milk has a lot of immunoglobulins

December 22, 2021

Vimal Selvaraj, Kasey Schalich, and Robert Lynch

Antibodies in the dam’s colostrum, specifically immunoglobulins G and A, are the reason why newborn calves are able to immediately combat bacterial and viral pathogens in the environment.

Improve your grades: Transfer of passive immunity is no longer pass or fail

September 13, 2021

Drew A. Vermeire

The value of adequate colostrum intake to the health and well-being of calves cannot be overstated.

Ask a Vet: Clostridium vaccinations at dry-off for better calf passive immunity

March 15, 2021

Vicky Lauer

A Progressive Dairy reader recently asked: “Would vaccinating cows at dry-off for clostridium give passive immunity to calves to help them for the first week or so until they are vaccinated?” The simple answer is: “Yes.”

Survey on colostrum management practices in New York State

July 15, 2020

Trent Westhoff, Thomas R. Overton, and Sabine Mann

Producers want the best for each calf born on their farm, and feeding high-quality colostrum soon after birth in adequate amounts is key to raising healthy calves.