Giving every calf a strong start
Managing calf health: All calves are born with an immature gut and low immunity, so even with adequate colostrum, they remain vulnerable to environmental pathogens. Calves at Stradbally, Co Laois.
HERD HEALTH SERIES: Maura Langan, veterinary adviser with Norbrook.
Last month, I talked about the need for good colostrum protocols and effective management of scour outbreaks in all young calves. But with current calf prices, it’s worth looking at how we protect those with more specific challenges.
The standard recommendation of giving calves 3 litres of colostrum is based on an average calf size of 35kg. But many calves are much larger, across different breed types and production systems, but particularly large continentals. These large, sleepy calves will need more specific care in those first few hours, focusing on getting them standing and suckling.
If the calf is slow to suckle, or if there are concerns that it may not receive adequate volume, supplementation or even substitution with a powdered colostrum may be necessary. This may be likely if there has been an assisted birth or the dam is distressed, and the calf or farmer may be at risk.
Natural and powdered colostrum provide essential immunoglobulins to support systemic immunity, but the Provita Colostrum range also includes additional antibody-rich proteins derived from the eggs of hens immunised against common bovine diseases. These proteins target pathogens, offering another layer of protection while the calf’s long-term immunity develops. In addition, Provita Colostrum also contains probiotics to help populate the gut with ‘good’ bacteria to reduce the risk of digestive disturbance.
Provita Colostrum Elite is specifically formulated to meet the needs of larger calves when given as a supplement or substitute to maternal colostrum.
To support continuing development and growth in these valuable calves, Provita Colostrum Elite provides powdered high-energy colostrum concentrate from disease-free EU herds and egg protein. It also contains much higher levels of probiotics, vitamins A, D3, E and copper when to compared to Provita Colostrum as well as additional zinc, selenium and iron.
Calves should receive colostrum within the first 12 hours of life, so early administration is always recommended. However, I always recommend that farmers check regularly and if the calf is not up, looking alert and suckling, consider giving them a second helping. A warm belly full of colostrum provides essential energy and helps regulate temperature and some of these large-breed calves may need more.
All calves are born with an immature gut and low immunity, so even with adequate colostrum, they remain vulnerable to environmental pathogens. In even the best-managed herds, a spring calving shed will be a high-pressure environment, populated by common pathogens like E. coli, rotavirus and cryptosporidium.
Many farmers will have experienced the stress of a scour outbreak. These commonly occur at around 7-14 days, during a risk period caused by waning passive immunity from colostrum and before the calf has fully developed its own active immunity.
These outbreaks are very common, so many farmers are increasingly looking at management tools that avoid the need for antibiotics. While maternal vaccination offers early protection via colostrum, targeted nutritional, probiotic interventions, such as Provita Response Paste, aim to kick start developing calf immunity and intestinal health.
What makes Provita Response Paste different is the unique high-quality probiotics in a single, convenient syringe applicator. A single dose can be given to all calves early in life to populate the gut with beneficial lactic acid bacteria. These beneficial microbes crowd out harmful pathogens, promoting healthy gut development. Provita Response also provides concentrated energy, vitamins and antibody-rich egg proteins, so it is ideal for calves facing specific challenges at any age: bought-in calves, those under stress at transport or weaning, or following digestive disturbance or antibiotic use. Provita Response is also available in a convenient capsule form.
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