colostrum

Inadequate transfer of passive immunity can still occur if colostrum protocols are not up to scratch

Making small, but significant tweaks to lambing management procedures can dramatically improve lamb survival

USA-based calf and heifer expert Dr Jim Quigley offers his perspective, after reviewing worldwide studies into best practice for calf colostrum handling and feeding

Feeding colostrum with a higher concentration of immunoglobulins at lower volumes is advised to reduce damage to calf gut health

Giving every lamb the best start in life is the focus for sheep farmers at lambing time, however, they have been reminded not to waste the potential of cade lambs.

A recent study carried out by the University of Glasgow has found that 80% of supplementary colostrum from a typical commercial flock fails bacterial count tests

Calf rearers should look at all areas of calf management and disease prevention, to help control problems with cryptosporidiosis in calf sheds

Dairy calf rearers can derive a horde of animal health rewards by feeding high quality colostrum for longer and a recent farmer survey shows most farmers are open to the practice if it were shown to be beneficial with adjustments to labour, equipment, and facilities

Lamb mortality impacts flock productivity around lambing time. Ellie Layton looks at the main issues and how they can be avoided.