Good, bad or otherwise, the impact of colostrum intake – or lack thereof – can follow newborn calves throughout their lifetime.

Colostrum management plays a vital role in a successful dairy operation and is an often overlooked opportunity where the returns will greatly outweigh the investment of time and capital.

The single-most important meal a calf will consume in its lifetime is the first feeding of colostrum. This meal is crucial for surviving both the first 24 hours and the first month, when calfhood diseases are most common.

 Many producers report problems rearing calves without disease. First off, it is important to understand that they are living beings and, as such, some will get sick. Second, these are babies, so they are more susceptible to disease than adults.