Antimicrobial resistance concerns have pushed the industry to look for alternatives to routine antibiotic use, and this study tested whether extending colostrum supplementation past the first day could be one of them. Researchers supplemented milk replacer with colostrum powder for 14 days and tracked morbidity, mortality, feed intake, and weight gain compared to unsupplemented calves. For producers looking to reduce reliance on antibiotics without sacrificing calf performance, this is early evidence that extended colostrum feeding might be part of that answer.
"Evaluation of the effects of oral colostrum supplementation during the first fourteen days on the health and performance of preweaned calves" — A.C.B. Berge, T.E. Besser, D.A. Moore, W.M. Sischo. J Dairy Sci. 2009;92(1):286-295.