Colostrum Replacer & other calving supplies

[kanshow]

What is the best colostrum replacer available?    Needing to order calving supplies and not seeing the kind we have used in the past.

Ideally I like to use colostrum collected from one of our own cows but calving season has not started and I have nothing in the freezer so I feel like I need a commercial replacer. 

Also what else are 'must haves'?    Does anyone use the oral vaccines on newborns ? If so what kind?

 

[Till-Hill]

Secure or any of semen companies have good stuff. Select Sires and Accelerated has ones I like tho.

 

[Freddy]

We have used Mana PRO at most farm stores for year and works great ....I don't think the natural does any better job, this has always worked and no fuss and bother ....

 

[SWMO]

I am not happy with the new Clostrex.  They changed their formulation and packaging last year and it does not appear to be a good colostrum replacement now.  They are marketing it as a supplement not a replacement now. 

 

[BTDT]

I can not remember the name, but it was roughly $35 a packet (2 qrts - 1 feeding), and when you mixed it, it was like pudding. Had a "odd" smell also. If I recall it had about 220 ImG per serving (colostrx only has 80 I think). I will say, after about 30 minutes the calves are spunky and lively!  When I get the name, I will repost.  But to get a high quality REPLACER, look for a bovine milk derivative with the highest ImG you can find. It will cost you, but worth every penny.

As for my "ready for calving" list:  Strong Iodine (not gentle, but the stain your hands "dangerous handling charge" iodine), Calf pulling ropes (I do not like chains), Vet ph number in cell phone, plenty of rags, my show blower readily available, OB lube (I do not use gloves - can't feel anything well enough), thermometer, syringes, needles, a few good antibiotics, Rx scour boluses, tuber and bottle/nipple clean and ready to use, calf pullers clean and readily available.  I get a lot of things "ready" with hopes of NEVER using them. And I happily "waste" the money!
Everything in its place so I can tell someone else EXACTLY where it is if I am busy in the barns.

 

[whitecow]

My company conducted a small study a few years ago looking at the absorption of antibodies from several commercially available colostrums. The one that consistently provided the highest levels of circulating IgGs 24 and 48 hrs post birth was for Saskatoon Colostrum. I think it was called Calf's Choice Gold.