• Mix the powder with water (43 to 49°C) and feed within 2 hours of birth. Calves should receive a second feeding of colostrum within 8 hours.Feeding additional amounts provides health benefits and is recommended when calves are stressed or disease incidence is high. Consult your veterinarian.
• The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association recommends feeding “colostrum equaling 10% of body weight [about 4 quarts for most
Holstein calves] in the first 2 hours of life with target serum IgG of >10 mg/mL and total protein of >5.2 g/dL.”
• These levels can be achieved when completely replacing maternal colostrum at the recommended levels.
• To achieve a replacement dose, newer industry standards suggest 150-200g IgG for optimal calf performance.
• If supplementing, feed a minimum of 50g IgG in addition to sufficient maternal colostrum to target a similar overall mass of IgG. If maternal colostrum is very poor quality, supplement with higher levels of IgG in addition to maternal colostrum.
•
TO COMPLETELY REPLACE MATERNAL COLOSTRUM
Choose the feeding level that achieves the desired levels of immunity for your calves.
Feed 2-3 bags of HeadStart
# of packages Amount IgG Fed Amount Water
2 bags 120 g 5 cups
3 Bags 180 g 7.5 cups
TO SUPPLEMENT MATERNAL COLOSTRUM
Feed in addition to available maternal colostrum.
Feed 1-2 bags of HeadStart
# of packages Amount IgG Fed Amount Water
1 bag 60 g 2.5 cups
2 Bags 120 g 5 cups
