WEBVTT 00:00:10.469 --> 00:00:13.570 Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, where we bring 00:00:13.570 --> 00:00:15.789 you cutting -edge insights for progressive dairy 00:00:15.789 --> 00:00:19.089 producers. Today we're diving into a game -changing 00:00:19.089 --> 00:00:22.210 approach to calf nutrition that could add $500 00:00:22.210 --> 00:00:26.269 per heifer to your bottom line. Are you discarding 00:00:26.269 --> 00:00:29.010 liquid gold after that first colostrum feeding? 00:00:29.690 --> 00:00:32.409 Groundbreaking research from Dr. Michael Steele 00:00:32.409 --> 00:00:35.409 at the University of Guelph is challenging conventional 00:00:35.409 --> 00:00:39.549 wisdom about how we feed our calves. In the next 00:00:39.549 --> 00:00:42.270 20 minutes, you'll discover why transition milk 00:00:42.270 --> 00:00:45.649 holds untapped value, how extended colostrum 00:00:45.649 --> 00:00:48.490 feeding dramatically reduces treatment costs, 00:00:48.729 --> 00:00:51.170 and why leading operations are seeing substantial 00:00:51.170 --> 00:00:54.530 returns on this simple protocol change. Whether 00:00:54.530 --> 00:00:59.890 you're managing 50 calves or 5 ,000, Science 00:00:59.890 --> 00:01:02.630 -backed strategies you can implement immediately. 00:01:03.130 --> 00:01:06.250 So grab your notebook. You won't want to miss 00:01:06.250 --> 00:01:09.269 these profit -enhancing insights from the bullvine. 00:01:09.530 --> 00:01:12.329 Hey, you know that feeling when you realize you've 00:01:12.329 --> 00:01:15.629 been overlooking something? Something super obvious? 00:01:15.969 --> 00:01:17.849 Maybe something that could be adding real cash 00:01:17.849 --> 00:01:20.310 to your bottom line. Yeah, happens to the best 00:01:20.310 --> 00:01:22.609 of us. Well, get ready for maybe one of those 00:01:22.609 --> 00:01:25.409 moments today. We're plunging into what some 00:01:25.409 --> 00:01:28.390 are calling liquid gold. That's right, colostrum. 00:01:28.760 --> 00:01:31.099 Good old colostrum. But we're not just talking 00:01:31.099 --> 00:01:33.079 about that first feeding everyone knows about. 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:36.359 Nope. We're looking at how extending its use, 00:01:36.480 --> 00:01:39.519 how that could potentially boost your profit 00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:43.180 by, well, maybe as much as $500 per heifer. That's 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:45.159 a number that gets your attention, right? Definitely. 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:47.900 So think about your current calf feeding routine 00:01:47.900 --> 00:01:51.200 for just a second. Could you be unintentionally 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:54.500 letting a valuable resource and, frankly, serious 00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:58.469 money just slip away? It's a fair question. And 00:01:58.469 --> 00:02:00.290 that's exactly what we're here to explore today. 00:02:00.510 --> 00:02:02.930 We're doing a deep dive. Exactly. And look, this 00:02:02.930 --> 00:02:06.750 isn't some trendy new additive or, you know, 00:02:06.750 --> 00:02:09.490 flash in the pan idea. We've really dug deep 00:02:09.490 --> 00:02:11.729 into some groundbreaking research. The kind of 00:02:11.729 --> 00:02:14.210 stuff coming out of places like Gulf. Precisely. 00:02:14.330 --> 00:02:16.469 Worked by experts like Dr. Michael Steele there. 00:02:16.550 --> 00:02:20.430 It really makes you rethink those long -held 00:02:20.430 --> 00:02:23.669 beliefs about feeding newborn calves. So what's 00:02:23.669 --> 00:02:27.139 the mission today? Simple. Really. Our mission 00:02:27.139 --> 00:02:29.780 in this deep dive is crystal clear. Unpack the 00:02:29.780 --> 00:02:32.520 science, uncover the potential, which seems surprisingly 00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:35.819 large, of feeding colostrum for longer. Longer 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:37.860 than just that first day or so. Moving beyond 00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:41.000 just immunity. Way beyond just that initial passive 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:43.360 immunity shot. We're getting into its much broader 00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:46.219 impact on the lifetime performance of your dairy 00:02:46.219 --> 00:02:49.039 heifers. Okay, so let's dive right in. This paradigm 00:02:49.039 --> 00:02:50.919 shift the researchers are talking about. For 00:02:50.919 --> 00:02:53.539 ages, it felt like the whole focus with colostrum 00:02:53.539 --> 00:02:56.379 was just laser focused on antibodies, right? 00:02:56.560 --> 00:02:58.680 Absolutely. Get a couple of cords in them, ASAP, 00:02:58.860 --> 00:03:01.340 make sure the IgG is high. And then pretty much 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:04.060 straight to milk or replacer. Done. Done. Exactly. 00:03:04.280 --> 00:03:06.199 But the thinking on this is really evolving. 00:03:06.259 --> 00:03:08.539 It's not just about those initial antibodies 00:03:08.539 --> 00:03:10.680 anymore for your operation. So the benefits go 00:03:10.680 --> 00:03:13.460 further. Precisely. The scientific community 00:03:13.460 --> 00:03:16.680 is increasingly recognizing that the advantages, 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:21.039 they stretch far beyond just passive immunity. 00:03:21.219 --> 00:03:23.979 We're talking about a whole cascade of benefits. 00:03:24.199 --> 00:03:26.979 Like what specifically? Things influencing how 00:03:26.979 --> 00:03:29.520 their gut develops, their overall growth trajectory, 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:32.740 and yeah, ultimately how productive they'll be 00:03:32.740 --> 00:03:34.439 for you down the road in the milking parlor. 00:03:34.520 --> 00:03:37.000 So that traditional short duration approach. 00:03:38.090 --> 00:03:40.330 it might be missing something. Looks like it. 00:03:40.370 --> 00:03:42.409 While it's absolutely vital for getting those 00:03:42.409 --> 00:03:45.409 first antibodies in, nobody's arguing that it 00:03:45.409 --> 00:03:47.389 seems like it might actually be causing us to 00:03:47.389 --> 00:03:49.129 miss out on a really significant opportunity, 00:03:49.430 --> 00:03:52.229 an opportunity to positively shape that calf's 00:03:52.229 --> 00:03:55.050 future. And Dr. Steele's analogy, the one about 00:03:55.050 --> 00:03:56.909 the ball rolling down a hill, that kind of sticks 00:03:56.909 --> 00:03:58.949 with you. It really does, doesn't it? Yeah. He 00:03:58.949 --> 00:04:01.490 basically says the nutrition and care in those 00:04:01.490 --> 00:04:04.909 very early weeks, they set the entire course 00:04:04.909 --> 00:04:07.219 for that animal's productive life with you. It's 00:04:07.219 --> 00:04:09.159 not just about survival for the first few days. 00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:11.620 Not at all. It's about setting them up for long 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:13.479 -term success in your milking string. It's like 00:04:13.479 --> 00:04:16.779 building the foundation for a skyscraper. A strong 00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:19.079 foundation means a stronger building. Exactly. 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:22.040 If that foundation is solid, well -nourished, 00:04:22.120 --> 00:04:24.459 the whole structure is stronger, more resilient 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:27.639 for years. And it turns out a cornerstone of 00:04:27.639 --> 00:04:30.079 that foundation is what we're feeding them right 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:33.040 at the start. specifically those unique components 00:04:33.040 --> 00:04:36.459 in colostrum. Okay, so beyond the famous antibodies, 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:39.519 what is in colostrum that makes it so darn special 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:41.860 for your calves? What's the actual science saying 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:44.079 about why extended feeding could be so good? 00:04:44.360 --> 00:04:46.500 Well, you stack up colostrum against regular 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:49.879 milk and nutritionally, dramatically different, 00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:53.680 just loaded with a really unique cocktail of... 00:04:54.370 --> 00:04:57.649 peptides, carbohydrates, fatty acids, things 00:04:57.649 --> 00:04:59.209 you just don't see in those high concentrations 00:04:59.209 --> 00:05:01.350 later on. But it's more than just basic nutrition. 00:05:01.629 --> 00:05:03.750 Oh, much deeper. Colostrum is like this super 00:05:03.750 --> 00:05:06.490 cocktail of immune system boosters. Think cytokines, 00:05:06.490 --> 00:05:08.410 communication molecules for the immune system, 00:05:08.529 --> 00:05:10.790 various hormones that help development, and a 00:05:10.790 --> 00:05:12.850 really impressive lineup of vitamins and minerals. 00:05:13.149 --> 00:05:15.350 Bioactive compounds, they call them. That's the 00:05:15.350 --> 00:05:18.170 term, yeah. These bioactive compounds play a 00:05:18.170 --> 00:05:21.230 crucial role. establishing a healthy gut environment 00:05:21.230 --> 00:05:24.290 for your calves, helping build a strong intestinal 00:05:24.290 --> 00:05:27.370 lining, essentially programming their systems 00:05:27.370 --> 00:05:29.829 for efficient growth and function. So it's not 00:05:29.829 --> 00:05:32.089 just calories, it's signaling molecules too. 00:05:32.350 --> 00:05:35.329 Spot on. It's all these signaling molecules and 00:05:35.329 --> 00:05:37.290 developmental factors doing their magic. Which 00:05:37.290 --> 00:05:39.829 brings us neatly to transition milk, that stuff 00:05:39.829 --> 00:05:42.189 we often, well, maybe don't appreciate enough. 00:05:42.329 --> 00:05:44.449 Definitely underappreciated. We tend to think 00:05:44.449 --> 00:05:47.209 of it as just milk, the stuff after the real 00:05:47.209 --> 00:05:50.689 colostrum. But the data, it tells a very different 00:05:50.689 --> 00:05:52.470 story for you. How different are we talking? 00:05:52.550 --> 00:05:55.810 The data on how milk composition changes across 00:05:55.810 --> 00:05:58.930 those first four milkings, it's really eye -opening. 00:05:58.949 --> 00:06:00.509 Looking at the research, you see that big drop 00:06:00.509 --> 00:06:03.269 in IgG, right? First milking is packed maybe 00:06:03.269 --> 00:06:05.750 94 grams per liter, give or take. Yeah, that's 00:06:05.750 --> 00:06:08.050 the gold standard. But here's the real kicker 00:06:08.050 --> 00:06:11.170 for you. Even in the second milking, the IgG 00:06:11.170 --> 00:06:13.629 level is still remarkably high. It's hanging 00:06:13.629 --> 00:06:16.980 in there at about 39 grams per liter. 39. That's 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:19.300 still way higher than regular milk, isn't it? 00:06:19.800 --> 00:06:21.759 Significantly higher. You're talking about a 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:24.459 concentration of crucial antibodies that's still 00:06:24.459 --> 00:06:26.839 very potent. Makes you think about Dr. Back's 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:29.019 quote, doesn't it? Calling discarding transition 00:06:29.019 --> 00:06:31.699 milk a downright waste. It really hits home when 00:06:31.699 --> 00:06:34.819 you see numbers like that. Nearly 40 grams per 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:37.819 liter of protective immunoglobulins your calves 00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:41.480 need, and we often just dump it. Feels almost 00:06:41.480 --> 00:06:43.949 wrong. It really does. And it's not just the 00:06:43.949 --> 00:06:46.689 IgG either. Look at the other stuff in the research, 00:06:46.889 --> 00:06:50.350 total solids, protein content. Even by the fourth 00:06:50.350 --> 00:06:53.129 milking, these are still elevated compared to 00:06:53.129 --> 00:06:55.009 mature milk. So you're throwing away nutrients. 00:06:55.410 --> 00:06:57.370 Essentially, yeah. A nutrient -dense liquid that 00:06:57.370 --> 00:06:59.649 could be giving significant ongoing benefits 00:06:59.649 --> 00:07:02.589 to your calves for growth, for development. Okay, 00:07:02.649 --> 00:07:04.649 so what happens when you do put this into practice 00:07:04.649 --> 00:07:06.910 on your farm? What does the research actually 00:07:06.910 --> 00:07:10.069 show about the impact of extending that colostrum 00:07:10.069 --> 00:07:13.160 feeding period for you? Well, the work Dr. Steele 00:07:13.160 --> 00:07:15.680 and his team did up at golf has been really pivotal, 00:07:15.860 --> 00:07:17.800 really showing the way forward. They looked at 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:20.120 a couple of main approaches. How were they? One 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:22.660 was giving calves 50 % colostrum for the first 00:07:22.660 --> 00:07:25.899 two days. The other was including 10 % colostrum 00:07:25.899 --> 00:07:28.939 in their diet, but for a full 14 days. And the 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:31.519 results? Were they good? The results they saw 00:07:31.519 --> 00:07:34.339 were pretty consistent and really encouraging 00:07:34.339 --> 00:07:37.019 for producers. They saw a clear reduction in 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:40.009 both diarrhea cases. Bowers, yeah. Big problem. 00:07:40.149 --> 00:07:42.990 Big problem. And also lower overall mortality 00:07:42.990 --> 00:07:45.670 rates in the groups getting the extended colostrum. 00:07:45.870 --> 00:07:48.550 Plus, these calves showed improved growth rates 00:07:48.550 --> 00:07:50.829 at certain key points in their development. And 00:07:50.829 --> 00:07:52.889 it wasn't just about survival and growth, was 00:07:52.889 --> 00:07:54.569 it? I think I read something about gut health, 00:07:54.689 --> 00:07:57.870 too. Exactly. The research indicated that extending 00:07:57.870 --> 00:08:00.990 colostrum feeding helped reduce gut permeability. 00:08:01.449 --> 00:08:03.970 Think of it like making the intestinal lining 00:08:03.970 --> 00:08:07.230 stronger, less... Leaky. Which is good for preventing 00:08:07.230 --> 00:08:09.870 nasty stuff getting into the bloodstream. Precisely. 00:08:09.949 --> 00:08:12.550 They also saw positive effects on how their bodies 00:08:12.550 --> 00:08:15.250 handled insulin, which could have long -term 00:08:15.250 --> 00:08:18.189 implications for nutrient use efficiency throughout 00:08:18.189 --> 00:08:19.990 their lives for you. And this isn't just one 00:08:19.990 --> 00:08:23.410 study saying this. No. Other research backs this 00:08:23.410 --> 00:08:26.550 up too. For instance, one study used a 50 -50 00:08:26.550 --> 00:08:28.750 mix of whole milk and colostrum for a couple 00:08:28.750 --> 00:08:30.870 of days. Showed better intestinal development, 00:08:31.110 --> 00:08:34.129 higher overall IgG levels in the blood, lower 00:08:34.129 --> 00:08:37.279 mortality risk. Okay. Another one used a 90 -10 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:40.000 mix of milk and a colostrum replacer for two 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:43.460 weeks. Also reported higher body weights, better 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:47.659 average daily gain, ADG, and fewer deaths. The 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:49.500 evidence really seems to be stacking up for you. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:51.500 All right, let's pause for a sec. Make sure everyone 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:53.820 listening is tracking with some key terms we 00:08:53.820 --> 00:08:56.139 keep throwing around. IgG, we've mentioned it 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:58.539 a lot. Quick refresher on what it is and why 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:01.500 it's so vital for your calves. Certainly. IgG, 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:04.159 short for immunoglobulin G, it's a main antibody 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:07.159 type, super concentrated in colostrum. Think 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:09.539 of it as the first line of defense for your newborns, 00:09:09.539 --> 00:09:12.700 provides that crucial initial or passive immunity. 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:15.000 How does it work? When a calf gets enough good 00:09:15.000 --> 00:09:18.059 quality colostrum, these IgG antibodies get absorbed 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:20.309 right into their bloodstream. offers protection 00:09:20.309 --> 00:09:22.250 against a whole bunch of nasty pathogens. And 00:09:22.250 --> 00:09:24.289 there's a target level, right? Yeah. You generally 00:09:24.289 --> 00:09:26.809 want to aim for a blood serum IgG concentration 00:09:26.809 --> 00:09:30.269 over 10 grams per liter. Calves hitting that 00:09:30.269 --> 00:09:32.789 mark, successful passive transfer, we call it 00:09:32.789 --> 00:09:34.830 they're significantly less likely to get sick, 00:09:34.950 --> 00:09:37.169 much better shot at survival for you. Got it. 00:09:37.230 --> 00:09:39.309 And then transition milk, we touched on it, but 00:09:39.309 --> 00:09:41.809 just to be crystal clear. Right. Transition milk 00:09:41.809 --> 00:09:44.730 is simply the milk your cows produce in the milkings 00:09:44.730 --> 00:09:48.580 right after that first super concentrated colostrum, 00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:52.059 usually milkings two through, say, eight. And 00:09:52.059 --> 00:09:54.100 the key takeaway? As we saw in the research, 00:09:54.240 --> 00:09:56.820 it still packs a punch. Higher levels of beneficial 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:59.539 stuff in immunoglobulins, other valuable nutrients 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:02.000 compared to mature milk, makes it a really useful 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:03.940 resource for your young calves. Don't waste it. 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:06.840 Okay. And these bioactive compounds, what are 00:10:06.840 --> 00:10:09.279 they actually doing for your calves? Bioactive 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:11.429 compounds. They're essentially non -nutritive 00:10:11.429 --> 00:10:14.350 components in colostrum that have specific biological 00:10:14.350 --> 00:10:17.669 effects. Things like growth factors helping the 00:10:17.669 --> 00:10:20.470 gut develop properly, antimicrobial peptides 00:10:20.470 --> 00:10:23.429 fighting off bad bacteria, oligosaccharides acting 00:10:23.429 --> 00:10:26.409 like prebiotics, feeding the good gut bugs. So 00:10:26.409 --> 00:10:28.710 more than just energy and protein. Way more. 00:10:28.870 --> 00:10:31.029 Yeah. They actively contribute to your calves' 00:10:31.129 --> 00:10:32.830 health and development in some really fundamental 00:10:32.830 --> 00:10:36.330 ways. Right. And one last one, FTCM. Sounds a 00:10:36.330 --> 00:10:37.789 bit technical. Why should you care about that? 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:41.799 FPCM stands for fat and protein corrected milk. 00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:44.620 It's basically a standardized way to measure 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:47.240 milk production. It accounts for differences 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:49.980 in fat and protein content. Why standardized? 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:53.299 It allows for a fairer comparison of milk yields 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:56.419 between different cows, or in this case, between 00:10:56.419 --> 00:10:58.179 different feeding programs that might affect 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:00.919 milk composition later on for you, levels the 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:02.600 playing field when looking at production data. 00:11:03.070 --> 00:11:04.909 Now this is fascinating. Colostrum isn't just 00:11:04.909 --> 00:11:07.129 about preventing illness in your calves. It can 00:11:07.129 --> 00:11:09.149 actually be a tool to help them recover when 00:11:09.149 --> 00:11:11.690 they do get sick. Absolutely. That University 00:11:11.690 --> 00:11:14.269 of Gulf research really highlights this potential 00:11:14.269 --> 00:11:16.509 benefit for you. They look at calves with diarrhea 00:11:16.509 --> 00:11:19.370 scours. Compared to control group to calves getting 00:11:19.370 --> 00:11:22.649 a 50 -50 mix of milk replacer and colostrum replacer. 00:11:22.690 --> 00:11:25.149 For how long? Either two days or a longer period 00:11:25.149 --> 00:11:28.269 of four days. And the results? Pretty striking. 00:11:28.370 --> 00:11:30.840 What did they find? The calves getting the extended 00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:33.759 colostrum therapy, the four -day treatment, they 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:35.940 actually recovered from diarrhea faster than 00:11:35.940 --> 00:11:38.220 the other groups. And here's the really important 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:41.000 part for your bottom line. Go on. They also showed 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:43.940 higher average daily weight gain during that 00:11:43.940 --> 00:11:46.639 recovery period. That's huge. Because usually 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:49.519 sickness means a growth slump, right? Which can 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:52.179 mess things up long -term for you. Exactly. A 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:53.940 setback like that can have knock -on effects. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:57.519 But it sounds like that extended colostrum helped 00:11:57.519 --> 00:12:00.399 keep them on track. growth -wise. So Dr. Steele's 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:03.500 point holds up. Totally. As he pointed out, it's 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:05.759 not just about clearing the illness. It's about 00:12:05.759 --> 00:12:08.299 maintaining that crucial growth trajectory, even 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:10.200 through health challenges. And this wasn't just 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:12.139 a small finding either. Other studies confirmed 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:15.559 it. Yeah. A larger study with 144 heifers found 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:17.799 significantly lower diarrhea rates in calves 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:19.759 getting extra colostrum. And another one giving 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:22.919 700 grams of colostrum and 5 kilos of milk daily 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:25.899 for 14 days showed a whole host of benefits for 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:29.100 you. Greater weaning weight? higher final body 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:32.539 weight, better feed efficiency, superior ADG 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:35.120 overall, and fewer days dealing with common issues, 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:37.659 fever, poor appearance, diarrhea, pneumonia. 00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:41.440 It really underscores colostrum's power for supporting 00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:44.980 overall calf health. Okay, now, I know some folks 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:47.440 listening might be thinking, hmm, interesting, 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:49.820 but... Changing my program. There are always 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:52.019 those common beliefs, those hurdles. Oh, definitely. 00:12:52.159 --> 00:12:54.100 There are some ingrained ideas that might be 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:55.860 holding producers back from trying this on their 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:57.840 own farms. Let's tackle them. What's misconception 00:12:57.840 --> 00:13:00.860 number one? The big one. Probably cost. The thought 00:13:00.860 --> 00:13:03.179 that feeding extra colostrum is just going to 00:13:03.179 --> 00:13:05.059 be too expensive for you. And the counter argument. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:08.519 The reality, based on Cornell research, is that 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:11.159 for every single dollar you invest in improving 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:13.720 calf nutrition, you can actually see about a 00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:16.860 $4 return down the line. $4 back for every $1 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:20.289 spent. Yep. In terms of increased lifetime milk 00:13:20.289 --> 00:13:23.289 production, lower health costs. And remember 00:13:23.289 --> 00:13:26.629 that underutilized transition milk, extra first 00:13:26.629 --> 00:13:29.269 milking colostrum, that's already a resource 00:13:29.269 --> 00:13:31.750 you have on hand. You've produced it. It's just 00:13:31.750 --> 00:13:33.769 about using it smarter for better returns. Makes 00:13:33.769 --> 00:13:35.789 sense. What's another common concern you hear? 00:13:36.070 --> 00:13:38.669 Time. Labor. That's the second big one, yeah. 00:13:38.970 --> 00:13:41.149 Feeling like a more complex feeding protocol 00:13:41.149 --> 00:13:43.929 will add a ton of extra work to already packed 00:13:43.929 --> 00:13:47.269 days. Producers are stretched thin. Adding more 00:13:47.269 --> 00:13:50.370 steps seems daunting. But is it really that much 00:13:50.370 --> 00:13:52.590 extra work? Farms that have actually done a report, 00:13:52.730 --> 00:13:55.330 it only adds about, say, five to ten minutes 00:13:55.330 --> 00:13:57.850 of extra daily labor preparing the supplemental 00:13:57.850 --> 00:14:00.230 feeds. Okay, five, ten minutes. Now weigh that 00:14:00.230 --> 00:14:02.070 against the time you spend treating sick calves. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:04.720 That can easily be 30 minutes or more per day, 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:07.480 right? Plus the medication costs. That small 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:09.840 upfront time investment starts looking much more 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:12.399 manageable and probably more cost effective for 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:14.340 you long term. Absolutely. Prevention versus 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:16.820 cure. What about seeing actual results? Is it 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:18.820 measurable? Does it hit the bottom line? The 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:21.620 data from numerous university studies shows really 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:24.360 clear quantifiable improvements you can expect. 00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:27.379 Give me some numbers. Okay. Things like a $15 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:30.100 to $25 reduction in treatment costs per calf. 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:33.600 A 5 to 7 % improvement in calf survival rates. 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:38.100 Fewer deaths. An 80 to 150 gram per day increase 00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:40.759 in average daily gain. ADG is key. It really 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:44.059 is. And maybe most significantly long term. An 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:46.860 increase of 500 to 1 ,000 pounds of milk in that 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:49.929 crucial first lactation. Wow. Those aren't small 00:14:49.929 --> 00:14:51.889 changes. Those are substantial returns that can 00:14:51.889 --> 00:14:54.029 really move the needle on profitability for you. 00:14:54.110 --> 00:14:56.870 Exactly. And the last big hurdle I often hear, 00:14:57.009 --> 00:15:00.129 storage. Storing all that extra colostrum seems 00:15:00.129 --> 00:15:02.309 like a logistical challenge for some farms. It's 00:15:02.309 --> 00:15:04.029 a valid point for you. But again, look at the 00:15:04.029 --> 00:15:06.429 economics. Even smaller operations can often 00:15:06.429 --> 00:15:08.809 justify putting in dedicated freezer space. How 00:15:08.809 --> 00:15:10.750 much are we talking? A standard chest freezer, 00:15:10.929 --> 00:15:14.090 maybe a modest upfront cost, can typically hold 00:15:14.090 --> 00:15:17.919 enough colostrum for 30, maybe 40 calves. That's 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:20.039 a one -time investment delivering ongoing returns 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:22.980 with every calf you raise. Plus, there are other 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:25.059 practical methods, refrigeration short -term, 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:27.440 commercial preservatives. We can get into those. 00:15:27.559 --> 00:15:29.480 Okay, good. Now let's switch gears slightly. 00:15:30.460 --> 00:15:33.419 Weaning. It sounds like when you take calves 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:36.559 off liquid feed is also a really critical decision 00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:39.120 tied into this whole early nutrition discussion. 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:42.460 It absolutely is for you. Dr. Steele makes a 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:45.220 really compelling point. He emphasizes the number 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:47.980 one thing to remember is that weaning later is 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:50.679 generally better. That kind of goes against the 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:52.840 grain sometimes, doesn't it? Trying to wean early 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:56.080 to save on feed costs. It can, yeah. That traditional 00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:58.639 mindset. I know lots of farms aim for six weeks, 00:15:58.740 --> 00:16:01.419 almost religiously. But Dr. Steele's training 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:03.700 wheels analogy. That really paints a picture 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:05.940 of why that might be too soon for many of your 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:08.000 calves. It's a great analogy for you, isn't it? 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:11.139 He likens weaning a calf at six weeks, especially 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:13.519 if their starter intake isn't solid yet, to taking 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:15.740 training wheels off a bike before the kid can 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:18.259 really pedal and balance alone. So physiologically, 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:21.580 they might not be ready. Often, yeah. Economically 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:24.220 speaking, cags under eight weeks often aren't 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:26.580 ready for complete weaning, especially if they've 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:28.360 been on higher nutrition planes with extended 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:31.559 colostrum. Their digestive systems are still 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:34.289 maturing. Starter intake can be inconsistent. 00:16:34.730 --> 00:16:37.690 Push them too early, you risk growth slumps. 00:16:37.870 --> 00:16:40.490 And those slumps can have lasting negative impacts 00:16:40.490 --> 00:16:42.809 on performance down the line for you. Exactly. 00:16:42.850 --> 00:16:46.269 So instead of just picking an age, six weeks, 00:16:46.429 --> 00:16:49.649 eight weeks, what should you be looking at to 00:16:49.649 --> 00:16:52.629 decide when to wean your calves? Progressive 00:16:52.629 --> 00:16:55.110 producers get this. The decision should be based 00:16:55.110 --> 00:16:58.370 on consistent, adequate starter intake by each 00:16:58.370 --> 00:17:00.690 individual calf. not just a date on the calendar 00:17:00.690 --> 00:17:03.190 for you. So watch the calf, not the clock. Pretty 00:17:03.190 --> 00:17:06.049 much. The goal is ensuring each calf eats enough 00:17:06.049 --> 00:17:08.470 solid feed to keep growing once the liquid feed 00:17:08.470 --> 00:17:10.990 stops. Let them develop more fully before weaning. 00:17:11.089 --> 00:17:12.990 You're setting them up for better, more consistent 00:17:12.990 --> 00:17:15.690 growth, better long -term productivity. Leading 00:17:15.690 --> 00:17:18.609 to heifers calving at that target age, 22 -24 00:17:18.609 --> 00:17:21.230 months, ready to hit their potential. That's 00:17:21.230 --> 00:17:23.789 the aim. And those long -term milk yield gains, 00:17:24.109 --> 00:17:27.309 they likely far outweigh any perceived short 00:17:27.309 --> 00:17:30.230 -term savings from weaning too early. OK, so 00:17:30.230 --> 00:17:31.630 if you're listening and thinking, right, the 00:17:31.630 --> 00:17:33.589 benefits seem clear. I want to do this for my 00:17:33.589 --> 00:17:36.670 operation. What are the practical ways? How can 00:17:36.670 --> 00:17:39.349 you actually make extended colostrum feeding 00:17:39.349 --> 00:17:42.359 happen on your farm? What are the options? There 00:17:42.359 --> 00:17:44.259 are really three main practical approaches you 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:46.900 can consider. First, as we've discussed, just 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:49.019 make better use of that valuable transition milk, 00:17:49.140 --> 00:17:51.299 milkings two through eight, roughly, instead 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:53.539 of dumping it. Use what you already have. Exactly. 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:57.200 Second option, actively supplement their regular 00:17:57.200 --> 00:18:00.440 feed milk replacer or whole milk with actual 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:03.299 first milking colostrum. Boost the concentration 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:05.819 of those beneficial compounds for longer. And 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:08.220 the third? Third approach is using a commercial 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:11.059 colostrum replacer. Incorporate that into their 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:13.289 liquid diet. This can be really handy if you 00:18:13.289 --> 00:18:15.430 don't have enough good maternal colostrum, or 00:18:15.430 --> 00:18:17.430 maybe if you have disease transmission concerns 00:18:17.430 --> 00:18:20.529 in your herd. And these are all realistic, implementable 00:18:20.529 --> 00:18:23.190 on your farm with the right setup. Absolutely. 00:18:23.410 --> 00:18:25.450 The key for you is setting up a straightforward 00:18:25.450 --> 00:18:29.230 system. Collection, proper storage, consistent 00:18:29.230 --> 00:18:32.009 feeding. And preserving it. You mentioned temperature 00:18:32.009 --> 00:18:35.589 and preservatives. Yeah. Low temperatures, refrigeration, 00:18:35.589 --> 00:18:38.660 and freezing are crucial. And certain preservatives, 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:41.079 like potassium sorbate, can also be effective 00:18:41.079 --> 00:18:43.519 tools to maintain quality for extended feeding 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:46.119 on your farm. Okay, let's get into the real nitty 00:18:46.119 --> 00:18:48.559 -gritty now for our listeners. What about the 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:50.900 real -world challenges you might hit trying to 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:53.279 implement this? And more importantly, what are 00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:55.740 the research -backed, practical solutions you 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:58.299 can use? Let's start with collecting and storing 00:18:58.299 --> 00:19:01.220 all that extra colostrum. Logistics. Yeah, valid 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:04.289 concern for you. Nobody wants extra hassle. The 00:19:04.289 --> 00:19:06.250 University of Minnesota Extension suggests a 00:19:06.250 --> 00:19:08.529 simple but effective color -coded labeling system. 00:19:08.750 --> 00:19:11.369 It makes identifying milk from different milkings 00:19:11.369 --> 00:19:14.109 quick and easy. Smart. What about storage duration? 00:19:14.809 --> 00:19:16.490 Refrigeration is good short -term, maybe up to 00:19:16.490 --> 00:19:19.519 a week. For longer storage, freezing is excellent. 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:22.259 Use convenient one or two quart containers. It 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:24.180 can preserve colostrum for up to a year if you 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:26.220 do it right. And if you need longer refrigerated 00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:28.440 life? There are commercial colostrum preservatives 00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:31.799 available, often contain potassium sorbate. They 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:34.200 can keep it usable for up to maybe two weeks 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:36.339 under refrigeration. Gives you more flexibility. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:39.000 That color coding sounds brilliant for keeping 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:41.180 things straight for you. Okay, what about the 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:44.500 extra labor? The actual feeding process with 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:46.900 these extended protocols? Penn State research 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:49.740 looks specifically at this for you. They suggest 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:52.299 batch preparation can really streamline things. 00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:55.359 Batch prep? How does that work? Well, say your 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:58.119 goal is 10 % colostrum inclusion. You could mix 00:19:58.119 --> 00:20:00.859 one part colostrum with nine parts milk replacer 00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:03.660 in a dedicated container each morning. Then use 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:05.559 that pre -mixed solution for all the feedings 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:07.880 that day for your calves. And the time commitment? 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:10.500 Their findings indicated this kind of batch prep 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:13.319 only adds about five to ten minutes extra time 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:15.980 daily. Which, like we said, is probably way less 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.640 time than you're spending treating sick calves 00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:20.259 right now. Good point. Okay, final big challenge. 00:20:20.539 --> 00:20:23.599 Disease transmission risk. Especially if you're 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:26.200 pooling colostrum. Big concern for many producers. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:29.380 What practical steps can you take to manage those 00:20:29.380 --> 00:20:32.519 biosecurity risks effectively? Biosecurity is 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:35.460 absolutely paramount for you. No question. If 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:37.779 you're considering pooled colostrum, especially 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:40.279 if certain diseases are a worry in your herd, 00:20:40.890 --> 00:20:43.549 Heat treatment is a very effective tool. Pasteurization. 00:20:43.869 --> 00:20:46.930 Exactly. Pasteurizing pooled colostrum at 60 00:20:46.930 --> 00:20:50.849 degrees Celsius, that's 140 Fahrenheit, for 60 00:20:50.849 --> 00:20:53.750 minutes. It's been shown, scientifically, to 00:20:53.750 --> 00:20:56.230 significantly knock down many common calf pathogens. 00:20:56.950 --> 00:20:59.230 Importantly, it does this while still preserving 00:20:59.230 --> 00:21:02.630 most of the vital IgG antibodies. And if pasteurization 00:21:02.630 --> 00:21:04.890 isn't an option, or you want more certainty? 00:21:05.289 --> 00:21:07.609 For higher risk herds, or just for extra peace 00:21:07.609 --> 00:21:10.410 of mind, using high quality commercial colostrum 00:21:10.410 --> 00:21:13.170 replacers is a very viable alternative for you. 00:21:13.230 --> 00:21:15.569 They completely eliminate the risk of transmitting 00:21:15.569 --> 00:21:17.829 diseases that might be lurking in maternal colostrum. 00:21:17.950 --> 00:21:20.490 So before you even think about pooling colostrum 00:21:20.490 --> 00:21:22.549 on your farm, it sounds like job number one is 00:21:22.549 --> 00:21:24.569 a really honest look at your herd's current disease 00:21:24.569 --> 00:21:26.789 status. Crucial first step for you. Absolutely. 00:21:27.150 --> 00:21:29.150 What specific bugs should you be particularly 00:21:29.150 --> 00:21:31.750 mindful of when considering pooling? If you're 00:21:31.750 --> 00:21:34.500 pooling, you need to be especially aware of potentially 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:38.140 transmitting things like John's disease, mycoplasma 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:41.460 salmonella, among others. They can all be present 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:44.319 in colostrum from infected cows. Could unfortunately 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:47.460 pass to your calves if you're not careful. So 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:49.539 the mitigation strategies, again, are... Proper 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:52.460 pasteurization is key. Many forward -thinking 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:54.880 dairies have invested in on -farm pasteurizers 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:57.500 for exactly this reason. And again, for those 00:21:57.500 --> 00:22:00.319 who want zero risk from pooled maternal colostrum, 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:03.559 high -quality commercial replacers are a reliable... 00:22:03.869 --> 00:22:06.490 disease -free alternative for your calves. It's 00:22:06.490 --> 00:22:08.289 just so important for you to remember this pre 00:22:08.289 --> 00:22:10.710 -weaning period. It's not just maintenance, right? 00:22:10.769 --> 00:22:12.369 Not just keeping calves alive until they eat 00:22:12.369 --> 00:22:14.990 solid feed. It's truly a critical window for 00:22:14.990 --> 00:22:17.230 setting up their entire productive life in your 00:22:17.230 --> 00:22:19.869 herd. Absolutely. For too long, the focus has 00:22:19.869 --> 00:22:22.410 often been minimizing cost in this early stage. 00:22:22.630 --> 00:22:25.349 But the science now clearly shows you higher 00:22:25.349 --> 00:22:27.210 plans of nutrition in those first eight weeks. 00:22:27.390 --> 00:22:30.410 It has a direct, significant positive correlation 00:22:30.410 --> 00:22:32.910 with enhanced milk production later on. First 00:22:32.910 --> 00:22:35.509 lactation and beyond. Dr. Steele's quote about 00:22:35.509 --> 00:22:38.130 missing out. Yeah, he put it bluntly. If you 00:22:38.130 --> 00:22:40.250 are not feeding high levels of milk in the first 00:22:40.250 --> 00:22:42.890 four weeks of life, you are definitely missing 00:22:42.890 --> 00:22:45.309 out on significant growth potential in your calves. 00:22:46.069 --> 00:22:49.130 Research consistently shows you higher ADG early 00:22:49.130 --> 00:22:52.349 on has a lasting beneficial impact on future 00:22:52.349 --> 00:22:55.339 milk yields. overall productivity. And we're 00:22:55.339 --> 00:22:57.539 not just talking tiny gains here for you, are 00:22:57.539 --> 00:23:00.500 we? That True Nutrition Life Start program research 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:02.839 really highlighted some potentially significant 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:05.460 improvements in future milk checks. That study 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:08.119 is a fantastic real -world example for you. It 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:10.839 shows the profound long -term impact early nutrition 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:13.940 can have. They compared groups. One got higher 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:16.640 nutrition, 8 liters of milk daily. Control got 00:23:16.640 --> 00:23:18.640 the conventional 4 liters. And the difference. 00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:20.859 Kaz and the Life Start group had significantly 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:23.720 higher ADG pre -weaning. And when they followed 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:26.119 those heifers into first lactation, the LifeStart 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:29.200 group produced nearly a kilo more fat and protein 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:32.259 -corrected milk per day, plus higher fat production. 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:35.819 Wow, did it last. Interestingly, yes. Benefits 00:23:35.819 --> 00:23:38.519 extended into the second lactation, too. Those 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:40.940 animals still showed higher fat -corrected milk 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:43.759 production and significantly higher actual fat 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:46.500 yields. These are real competitive advantages 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:48.619 for you. They add up across your whole herd. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:51.539 Seeing research results is one thing, but hearing 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:53.839 about it working on actual commercial farms, 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:56.519 that always hits different. That Riverview dairy 00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:58.779 case study from Minnesota seems like a really 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:01.420 compelling example for you. Ed Malenka's experience 00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:04.680 there, it's a fantastic illustration of the practical 00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:07.380 benefits you can achieve. He admitted he was 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:09.940 initially skeptical, you know, felt they already 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:11.660 had a pretty good calf program. But they tried 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:14.319 it anyway. They implemented a 14 -day colostrum 00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:18.180 supplementation protocol back in 2022. And the 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:20.640 results. Yeah. Undeniable for them. What changed? 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:23.779 Dramatic decrease in scour treatment rates, significant 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:26.720 increase in calf ADG, substantial drop in treatment 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:29.220 cost per calf, and a noticeable reduction in 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:31.339 labor needed for sick calves. What impressed 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:33.859 him most? He was really struck by how quickly 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:35.900 they recouped their investment in a dedicated 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:38.759 freezer for colostrum. Said it paid for itself 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:41.319 within the first month just from savings on treatment 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:44.779 costs. Incredible ROI. Yeah. They've even expanded 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:47.619 their protocol now. Use colostrum therapy proactively 00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:50.660 for calves showing early scour signs. Allow them 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:52.839 to significantly cut their overall antibiotic 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:55.759 use too. That's a massive win on so many levels 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:58.940 for you. Healthier calves, lower med costs, less 00:24:58.940 --> 00:25:01.220 time on sick animals, more sustainable with fewer 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:03.640 antibiotics. Okay, so for producers listening 00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:05.700 right now thinking, all right, sounds promising, 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:08.440 but where do I even start? What's your top five 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:10.539 step action plan? Okay, start with foundations, 00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:13.609 then build. One. Maximize that first colostrum 00:25:13.609 --> 00:25:16.089 feeding impact. Absolutely ensure every calf 00:25:16.089 --> 00:25:18.910 gets 10 -15 % of its body weight in high -quality 00:25:18.910 --> 00:25:21.589 colostrum within those critical first 12 hours. 00:25:21.789 --> 00:25:23.970 Non -negotiable first step for immunity. Step 00:25:23.970 --> 00:25:27.349 2. 2. Actively implement extended colostrum feeding. 00:25:27.509 --> 00:25:30.210 Choose your protocol. 50 % colostrum for days 00:25:30.210 --> 00:25:34.150 2 -3? Or our 10 % inclusion for 14 days? GELF 00:25:34.150 --> 00:25:36.690 research backs both for reducing sickness, boosting 00:25:36.690 --> 00:25:40.230 growth. 3. Consider proactive colostrum therapy. 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:43.240 That 50 -50 milk -colostrum mix for four days, 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:45.920 eight feedings for any calves showing digestive 00:25:45.920 --> 00:25:49.259 upset. Helps them bounce back faster. Minimizes 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:53.039 growth setbacks. Fourth step. Four. Individualize 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:55.599 weaning. Don't just use the calendar. Monitor 00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:58.819 starter intake. Only wean when they're consistently 00:25:58.819 --> 00:26:00.619 eating enough solid feed to maintain growth. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:04.299 Let the calf guide you, not the date. And finally, 00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:07.119 step five. Five. Get your preservation system 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:10.079 solid. Reliable way to handle your valuable colostrum. 00:26:10.809 --> 00:26:13.269 refrigeration short -term, freezing long -term, 00:26:13.349 --> 00:26:16.170 or approved preservatives. Maintain that quality 00:26:16.170 --> 00:26:19.049 for extended feeding. Remember what Dr. Heinrichs 00:26:19.049 --> 00:26:21.210 from Penn State said? Remind me. The most expensive 00:26:21.210 --> 00:26:23.170 feed you'll ever give a calf is the feed you 00:26:23.170 --> 00:26:25.170 don't give them in those critical first two months 00:26:25.170 --> 00:26:27.690 of life. It's hard, right? It's a really clear, 00:26:27.809 --> 00:26:30.329 actionable plan. For those eager beavers ready 00:26:30.329 --> 00:26:33.329 to start right now, what are three immediate 00:26:33.329 --> 00:26:35.670 concrete steps they can take today? All right, 00:26:35.690 --> 00:26:37.650 three things you can do right now to move in 00:26:37.650 --> 00:26:39.670 this more profitable direction for your operation. 00:26:40.109 --> 00:26:43.329 First, this morning, order your storage supplies. 00:26:44.029 --> 00:26:46.910 If you need a freezer, get it ordered. Get freezer 00:26:46.910 --> 00:26:49.970 bags or containers, markers, labels, maybe $600, 00:26:50.089 --> 00:26:52.250 $800 initial investment for a decent freezer. 00:26:52.369 --> 00:26:55.410 Okay, supplies first, second. Second, starting 00:26:55.410 --> 00:26:57.950 tomorrow, make it standard practice to collect 00:26:57.950 --> 00:27:00.829 and carefully store transition milk. At least 00:27:00.829 --> 00:27:03.789 the first eight milkings post calving. Label 00:27:03.789 --> 00:27:06.269 each batch clearly milking number and refrigerate 00:27:06.269 --> 00:27:08.630 it. Don't dump it. Start capturing that value 00:27:08.630 --> 00:27:10.990 immediately from a resource you already produce. 00:27:11.130 --> 00:27:14.230 Makes sense. And third. Third, this week, prioritize 00:27:14.230 --> 00:27:16.549 scheduling a dedicated meeting. Get your key 00:27:16.549 --> 00:27:18.970 advisors together, vet, nutritionist, calf manager, 00:27:19.130 --> 00:27:21.789 whoever's involved. Specifically, discuss and 00:27:21.789 --> 00:27:24.150 start customizing an extended colostrum protocol 00:27:24.150 --> 00:27:26.410 that fits your dairy's unique situation. And 00:27:26.410 --> 00:27:28.470 to help folks visualize rolling this out, what's 00:27:28.470 --> 00:27:30.690 a realistic implementation timeline look like? 00:27:30.809 --> 00:27:32.589 Phased approach. Yeah, a phased approach makes 00:27:32.589 --> 00:27:35.369 sense for your farm. Week one, focus on setting 00:27:35.369 --> 00:27:37.109 up that robust collection and storage system. 00:27:37.289 --> 00:27:39.910 Protocols for ID, testing, storage. Nail those 00:27:39.910 --> 00:27:42.529 down. Weeks two and three. Begin phase one implementation. 00:27:43.150 --> 00:27:45.170 Good starting point for many is supplemental 00:27:45.170 --> 00:27:47.730 colostrum for days two and three post -birth. 00:27:48.349 --> 00:27:50.809 Often easier than jumping straight to 14 days. 00:27:51.009 --> 00:27:53.769 Weeks four to six. Add in proactive colostrum 00:27:53.769 --> 00:27:56.440 therapy. Train your team to spot early signs 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:58.859 of digestive issues and implement the treatment 00:27:58.859 --> 00:28:02.619 protocol correctly. Then weeks 7 to 12. Gradually 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:05.200 expand to the full 14 -day extended feeding protocol 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:08.200 for all newborns. Give your team time to adjust. 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:11.000 And ongoing after week 12. Critically important. 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:14.549 Regularly analyze results. Review calf health 00:28:14.549 --> 00:28:18.329 records meticulously. Track growth data. Evaluate 00:28:18.329 --> 00:28:21.130 financial metrics. Use that data to continuously 00:28:21.130 --> 00:28:24.009 fine -tune your protocol. Optimize your overall 00:28:24.009 --> 00:28:26.349 calf program for maximum efficiency and profit. 00:28:26.589 --> 00:28:28.509 It really feels like the science of early calf 00:28:28.509 --> 00:28:31.190 nutrition is at an exciting point for you. Moving 00:28:31.190 --> 00:28:33.769 beyond old habits, embracing research for better 00:28:33.769 --> 00:28:36.109 health and productivity in your future herd. 00:28:36.309 --> 00:28:38.869 Absolutely. The choice for you is getting clearer. 00:28:39.390 --> 00:28:42.710 either proactively embrace these scientifically 00:28:42.710 --> 00:28:45.809 validated protocols consistently shown to maximize 00:28:45.809 --> 00:28:48.769 heifer lifetime performance or risk getting left 00:28:48.769 --> 00:28:51.269 behind. Other progressive producers are adopting 00:28:51.269 --> 00:28:53.589 these advantages, seeing the improvements on 00:28:53.589 --> 00:28:55.509 their bottom line. That ball rolling down the 00:28:55.509 --> 00:28:57.869 hill analogy again. It's so pertinent here for 00:28:57.869 --> 00:29:00.640 you. Early nutrition decisions set the trajectory 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:03.400 for their whole productive life and ultimately 00:29:03.400 --> 00:29:05.759 contribute to the long -term financial security, 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:08.960 the resilience of your dairy operation, the evidence 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:11.900 from Gulf, other top institutions. It's undeniable. 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:14.400 Forward -thinking producers are already seeing 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:16.339 the returns on this relatively simple investment 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:18.380 in their future. Okay, let's bring it all together 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:20.539 and make sure these key insights really stick 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:23.160 with you. Recap those crucial takeaways one last 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:25.839 time. Certainly. Remember the value of transition 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:28.579 milk for you. Even milking two is packed with 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:31.619 way more IgG than regular milk, yet often discarded. 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:34.279 Don't waste it. Protocol options. You have clear, 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:37.700 research -backed options. 50 % colostrum for 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:41.599 2 -3 days or 10 % inclusion for 14 days. Both 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:44.059 show real benefits. Pick what works best for 00:29:44.059 --> 00:29:46.700 your system. Disease management. Extended colostrum 00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:49.329 isn't just prevention. It's a powerful tool for 00:29:49.329 --> 00:29:51.890 actively managing disease, supporting recovery 00:29:51.890 --> 00:29:54.809 when calves do get sick. Implementation complexity. 00:29:55.029 --> 00:29:57.230 It doesn't require a massive overhaul or huge 00:29:57.230 --> 00:30:00.230 capital. Often just basic infrastructure, a few 00:30:00.230 --> 00:30:01.910 extra minutes daily in your feeding routine. 00:30:02.210 --> 00:30:05.250 Pays dividends. And the big picture. Always keep 00:30:05.250 --> 00:30:07.569 the long -term profitability in mind for you. 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:10.339 Early investments in optimized calf nutrition 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:12.759 deliver measurable, significant improvements 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:15.099 in milk production over multiple lactations. 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:17.140 Contributes directly to your farm's financial 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:19.380 success. And for the executive summary for you 00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:21.660 listening, the bottom line boils down to this. 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:24.319 Traditional calf feeding practices. Probably 00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:27.349 limiting your profitability? Likely, yes. Embracing 00:30:27.349 --> 00:30:30.069 extended colostrum feeding using either of those 00:30:30.069 --> 00:30:32.470 research -backed protocols can significantly 00:30:32.470 --> 00:30:35.930 cut disease rates, boost ADG in those critical 00:30:35.930 --> 00:30:38.670 early weeks, and lead to a notable increase in 00:30:38.670 --> 00:30:42.349 first lactation milk, maybe 500 to 1 ,000 pounds 00:30:42.349 --> 00:30:45.029 more per heifer. That's the potential. The extra 00:30:45.029 --> 00:30:48.069 labor, minimal, maybe 5, 10 minutes daily, and 00:30:48.069 --> 00:30:51.029 the return on investment. Substantial. Potentially 00:30:51.029 --> 00:30:53.509 adding around $500 per heifer to your bottom 00:30:53.509 --> 00:30:56.589 line. Exactly. By focusing on optimizing early 00:30:56.589 --> 00:30:59.049 calf nutrition, thoughtfully implementing these 00:30:59.049 --> 00:31:01.349 strategies, you're not just raising healthier 00:31:01.349 --> 00:31:04.309 young stock. You're actively unlocking significant 00:31:04.309 --> 00:31:07.369 sustainable economic potential for your dairy's 00:31:07.369 --> 00:31:10.529 entire future. So we really encourage you, take 00:31:10.529 --> 00:31:12.609 those first actionable steps we outlined today. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:15.000 Order the storage supplies, start collecting 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:16.960 that valuable transition milk, schedule that 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:19.019 planning meeting with your team this week. Get 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:21.319 the ball rolling. Don't wait. And finally, we'll 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:23.019 leave you with this thought to really chew on. 00:31:23.880 --> 00:31:26.460 Consider just how fully optimizing those first 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:28.839 few weeks of a heifer's life, maximizing the 00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:31.680 power of extended colostrum feeding could fundamentally 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:34.319 reshape the long -term profitability and the 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:36.839 overall resilience of your entire dairy operation 00:31:36.839 --> 00:31:39.579 for years to come. It's so much more than just 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:41.779 feeding calves. It's a strategic investment in 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:43.980 your farm's future success. That wraps up our 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:46.480 discussion on revolutionary colostrum protocols. 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:50.700 Remember those key takeaways. Transition milk 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:52.799 through the fourth milking. contains valuable 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:55.900 nutrients you might be discarding. Implementing 00:31:55.900 --> 00:31:58.140 extended feeding requires minimal additional 00:31:58.140 --> 00:32:02.279 labor but delivers substantial returns. And progressive 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:05.000 producers are already gaining competitive advantages 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:07.779 with these methods. We encourage you to start 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:10.900 with just one simple change this week. Begin 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:13.599 collecting and storing that transition milk rather 00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:16.799 than discarding it. Small steps lead to significant 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:20.519 profits. If you found value in today's episode, 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:23.220 Please subscribe to The Bullvine Podcast wherever 00:32:23.220 --> 00:32:26.200 you get your podcasts and visit thebullvine .com 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:28.799 for the full article with implementation guides 00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:32.420 and research citations. Thanks for joining us 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:35.500 for The Bullvine Podcast, where science meets 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:38.500 profitability. Until next time, keep innovating 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.059 in those bonds.