Orphan Calf Basics
Dr. Ken McMillan
DTN/The Progressive Farmer
A newborn calf needs about 8% of its body weight in colostrum within the first 12 hours of life. After 24 hours, colostrum is no longer absorbed. It’s been proven that calves that don’t get adequate colostrum have decreased performance, even in the feedlot. So colostrum is critical.
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