Research Insights

Feeding Frequency and IgG Absorption

SCCL — Sun, 01 May 2022 06:00:00 GMT

More feedings sounds like it should mean more antibody absorption, but this study tested that assumption directly. Researchers compared a low-frequency feeding protocol (two feedings within 12 hours) against a high-frequency one (three feedings) to see if the extra feeding actually improved IgG absorption. For producers managing calving season labor, this is worth knowing if it turns out the third feeding isn't adding much beyond the first two.

"Effects of a low- or high-frequency colostrum feeding protocol on immunoglobulin G absorption in newborn calves" — A.J. Lopez, T.T. Yohe, J. Echeverry-Munera, M. Nagorske, D.L. Renaud, M.A. Steele. J Dairy Sci. 2022 Jul;105(7):6318-6326.

Delayed Feeding and Ileum Immune Development

SCCL — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 06:00:00 GMT

The ileum is a key site for immune development in a newborn calf, and this study looked at what happens to that development when first colostrum feeding gets delayed. Using transcriptome analysis, researchers tracked gene expression changes in the ileum tied to immune function, comparing calves fed right away against calves with a delayed first feeding. For producers who sometimes can't get to a calf immediately, this adds tissue-level evidence to what delay actually costs beyond the passive transfer number.

"Transcriptome analysis revealed that delaying first colostrum feeding postponed ileum immune system development of neonatal calves" — Y. Song, H. Sun, Z. He, A. Fischer-Tlustos, T. Ma, M. Steele, L.L. Guan. Genomics. 2021;113(6):4116-4125.

Colostrum Volume/IgG and Beef Calf Behavior

SCCL — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Most colostrum research focuses on dairy, but beef calves face a different set of management realities, less controlled feeding, more reliance on natural nursing. This study looked at how colostrum volume, IgG concentration, and feeding method affect both nursing behavior and passive immunity specifically in beef calves. For producers managing beef herds where hands-on feeding isn't always practical, this speaks directly to your management context instead of extrapolating from dairy data.

"Impact of volume, immunoglobulin G concentration, and feeding method of colostrum product on neonatal nursing behavior and transfer of passive immunity in beef calves" — L. Gamsjäger, D.M. Haines, E.A. Pajor, M. Lévy, M.C. Windeyer. Animal. 2021;15(9):100345.

Colostrum as Therapy for Calf Diarrhea

SCCL — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 06:00:00 GMT

Diarrhea is one of the most common and costly problems in preweaned calves, and prevention usually gets more attention than treatment once it's already happening. This review looks specifically at colostrum's potential not just as a preventative measure but as an actual therapy once diarrhea has set in. For producers dealing with an active case, not just trying to avoid one, this is worth a look at what the evidence actually supports beyond standard supportive care.

"A Narrative Review on the Unexplored Potential of Colostrum as a Preventative Treatment and Therapy for Diarrhea in Neonatal Dairy Calves" — H.S.M. Carter, D.L. Renaud, M.A. Steele, A.J. Fischer-Tlustos, J.H.C. Costa. Animals. 2021;11(8):2221.

Passive Transfer of Colostral Leukocytes

SCCL — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 07:00:00 GMT

gG gets the spotlight in colostrum quality conversations, but colostrum also carries live white blood cells from the dam. This analysis weighs the actual benefits and risks of that leukocyte transfer, questioning the assumption that calves need maternal white blood cells to survive. For producers making calls on colostrum handling, this challenges a piece of conventional wisdom that's often taken as settled science.

"Passive transfer of colostral leukocytes: A benefit/risk analysis" — J. Ellis. Can Vet J. 2021;62(3):233-239.

Refractometer Accuracy for Passive Immunity

SCCL — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 07:00:00 GMT

Refractometers are the go-to farm tool for checking passive transfer, fast, cheap, and simple, but this study looked at where that method actually falls short. Researchers examined the limitations of using serum total protein or Brix readings to identify failure of passive transfer, questioning how reliable that single number really is. For producers leaning entirely on a refractometer reading to make herd health decisions, this is worth knowing before treating it as the final word.

"Hot topic: Accuracy of refractometry as an indirect method to measure failed transfer of passive immunity in dairy calves fed colostrum replacer and maternal colostrum" — A.J. Lopez, M.A. Steele, M. Nagorske, R. Sargent, D.L. Renaud. J Dairy Sci. 2021;104(2):2032-2039.

Fatty Acids in Colostrum and Transition Milk

SCCL — Thu, 01 Oct 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Fat content in colostrum isn't just about calories, certain fatty acids show up as markers tied to rumen and gut health. This study measured odd- and branched-chain fatty acid concentrations in colostrum and transition milk, then tested whether heat treatment and freezing (common on-farm handling methods) hold up or degrade those levels. For producers pasteurizing or freezing colostrum for storage, this is directly relevant, it's evidence on whether standard handling practices are preserving or costing them something nutritionally.

"Short communication: Effect of heat treatment and freezing on odd- and branched-chain fatty acid concentrations in bovine colostrum" — X. Yang, Y. Zhao, M.A. Steele, D.L. Renaud, D.M. Haines, A.J. Fischer-Tlustos. J Dairy Sci. 2021 Jan;104(1):851-857.

Transition Milk and Colostrum Replacer in Milk Replacer

SCCL — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Transition milk often gets overlooked once the colostrum window closes, but this study looked at what happens when it's used deliberately, or replaced with a colostrum-replacer-supplemented milk replacer instead. Researchers compared growth and health outcomes between calves getting one versus the other. For producers deciding how to bridge the gap between colostrum and full milk replacer, this speaks directly to whether that choice matters for early growth.

"Short communication: Effects of transition milk and milk replacer supplemented with colostrum replacer on growth and health of dairy calves" — B. Van Soest, F. Cullens, M.J. VandeHaar, M. Weber Nielsen. J Dairy Sci. 2020;103(12):12104-12108.

Colostrum Feeding and Neuroendocrine Gene Expression

SCCL — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 06:15:00 GMT

Colostrum's influence goes beyond gut and immune development, it may also be shaping the signaling systems that regulate appetite and metabolism. This study looked at how colostrum feeding strategy affects neuroendocrine gene expression alongside the gut bacteria populations tied to those signals. For producers thinking about long-term growth and feed efficiency, not just short-term immunity, this points to colostrum's role extending further into a calf's development than the passive transfer window alone.

"Effect of colostrum feeding strategies on the expression of neuroendocrine genes and active gut mucosa-attached bacterial populations in neonatal calves" — J. Hromádková, Y. Suzuki, S. Pletts, J. Pyo, T. Ma, Y. Chen, M.A. Steele, L.L. Guan. J Dairy Sci. 2020 Sep;103(9):8629-8642.

IgG-Enriched Colostrum Replacer Absorption

SCCL — Tue, 05 May 2020 06:00:00 GMT

Ensuring a newborn calf receives sufficient IgG, as quickly as possible, is central to successful passive immunity, yet not all colostrum replacers perform equally. This study evaluated IgG absorption in calves fed a replacer enriched to match natural colostrum’s antibody concentration, monitoring serum IgG in the hours after feeding to confirm effectiveness. For producers who depend on replacer due to limited donor colostrum or challenging calving schedules, these results speak directly to a key question: can a scientifically formulated replacer support calves as reliably as high-quality maternal colostrum?

"Effects of enriching IgG concentration in low- and medium-quality colostrum with colostrum replacer on IgG absorption in newborn Holstein calves" — A.J. Lopez, J. Echeverry-Munera, H. McCarthy, A.C. Welboren, A. Pineda, M. Nagorske, D.L. Renaud, M.A. Steele. J Dairy Sci. 2023 May;106(8):3680-3691.