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.