Virtually everyone who raises calves is aware of the life-giving qualities of colostrum.

For many years, colostrum delivery within the first 24 hours of life – and the sooner, the better – has been emphasized. That’s because we know that calves have a finite opportunity to absorb critical immunity-boosting antibodies – particularly immunoglobulin-G, or IgG – from colostrum into their digestive tract and bloodstream. The window of absorption closes gradually during that first day of life, and is nearly shut completely by the second day.

But colostrum also contains a long list of other substances that confer benefits to calf health and development well beyond that first day. In nature, calves suckling their dams continue to consume a unique fat- and protein-rich liquid diet as colostrum transitions to whole milk over the course of several days.

Key among the other beneficial elements in transition milk are insulin, insulin-like growth factor, leptin, and adiponectin. They are carried in the fat fraction of colostrum and are not associated with immunoglobulins. These important compounds promote development of calves’ digestive systems, regulate metabolism, and support growth. As researchers have learned more about them, they have experimented with longer-term feeding of fresh colostrum, supplemental doses of dried colostrum, and fresh transition milk, for periods of a few days through a few weeks of life.

At least 5 expert-reviewed studies have examined the practice of longer-term feeding of colostrum or transition milk. Results included:

• Three trials reported improvements in calf health. Days with diarrhea were reduced by one-third and days with pneumonia was shortened by one day.

• Two trials reported a significant improvement in calf growth.

So, while we know that feeding transition milk is beneficial, it can be a cumbersome challenge to execute on most dairies. Fresh cows typically enter the regular milking string within 2-3 days of calving, and harvesting their milk for extended calf feeding is logistically challenging. Plus, many calves leave the dairy for rearing off-site within a day or two of birth.

But there are ways to create the transition milk model to achieve similar beneficial effects. Bravo PD-1 from Strauss Feeds is a powdered supplement that boosts the fat and protein content of the liquid ration, and provides the same valuable elements found in transition milk. A combination of a concentrated colostrum fraction, bovine plasma, and whey immunoglobulin source creates a supplement that is similar to colostrum – with 60% protein and 24% fat – at a fraction of the cost of pure dried colostrum.

On-farm trials evaluating more than 4,800 calves have shown impressive results. The calves were fed 2 ounces of Bravo PD-1 powder replacing 10% of the milk solids fed in the first 14 days of life. Death loss dropped by approximately 3%, and supplemented calves were an average of 8 pounds heavier at 10 weeks of age.

In total, each calf was fed 1.75 pounds of Bravo PD-1 at a cost of about $6.00/calf.  If replacing milk replacer powder the net cost per calf can be less.  This is significantly lower than the cost of powdered colostrum, with a substantial return in value. At $14.00/lb., feeding colostrum replacer at the same rate would cost $24.00/calf. And that is on the low end, as some colostrum replacers are priced as high as $40.00/pound.

Bravo PD-1 also can be custom-blended directly into milk replacer, at a cost of less than $1.00/calf. When fed either as a supplement or blended into milk replacer, Bravo PD-1 also delivers a consistent dose of nutrients and other beneficial factors to each calf, compared to the variation that would occur in feeding fresh colostrum or transition milk.

Your Strauss Feeds representative can provide advice on how Bravo PD-1 can help you mimic the beneficial effects of feeding transition milk, at a highly affordable price, to support your calves’ health, growth, and lifelong physiological development.

RECENT POSTS