Hopefully you are all convinced that good colostrum intake gives all newborns the best start.
A Canadian study focusing on suckler farms has provided interesting data on a very simple on farm check that can predict calves at risk of poor colostrum intakes. The study showed that checking the suck reflex at birth was a useful way to predict likelihood of reduced colostrum intake. Even calves born with no assistance, but with a poor suck reflex showed much greater risk of reduced colostrum intakes at 4 hrs of age.
It is important to note that 78% of unassisted calves had a poor suck reflex – demonstrating nicely that an unassisted calving is not necessarily an easy calving for the calf!
Checking the suck reflex in all calves born then ensuring supplementation with dams own or powdered colostrum when required will help boost calf health and growth rates.
If you would like any guidance on tube feeding calves, please ask next time we are on farm.
