Back to Basics - Supplementation

After birth it is essential for calves to receive clean, high quality colostrum. This colostrum is important to them, as it is high in nutrients, and contains compounds that will “kick start” immune function and gut development. 

Transition milk is also important to meet the nutrient and developmental needs of a new calf. Some farms are managed in a way that allows calves to be fed in a manner where they don’t miss out on the benefits of clean colostrum, transition milk, and some even continue to feed whole milk. However, this type of protocol is not always manageable for every farm and often bottle-fed calves miss out on all the goodies that could have been provided by transition milk and whole milk.

Calves fed milk replacer most often will receive the supplemented vitamins and minerals needed for growth and immune function. However, many farms choose to feed waste milk instead of milk replacer or whole milk as it is cheaper, and it doesn’t have many other productive uses. Although, more economical, waste milk is variable in solids and nutrient content. When feeding waste milk, monitor changes and balance with a vitamin and mineral package and/or powdered balancer.

A calf’s immune defense system is built and maintained in their gut. Don’t forget to focus on gut health when you are choosing supplements for your calves. Prebiotics and probiotics are naturally occurring in colostrum and transition milk. It is beneficial to continue to supplement the calf with both throughout the milk feeding phase as they enhance intestinal integrity, compete with pathogenic bacteria, and improve overall health. 

Additional products on the market to support immune health may include IgY, an antibody derived from the egg yolks of chickens. The concept behind IgY is that it blocks adherence and colonization of pathogenic bacteria. Also, IgY is thought to prevent viruses from invading host cells and inactivates them as well as any toxins produced.

Please converse with your licensed veterinarian and nutritionist to determine which areas of supplementation your calves could benefit most from.

Written by: Jarred Kopkey and Mariah Gull, M.S.