SCCL

As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s worth reflecting on how success at the farm is also about how the work feels for the people behind it.

When calves get the right start, everything runs smoother. And when things run smoother, it doesn’t just benefit the operation—it supports the people caring for them. Every challenge, every loss, every setback carries weight. Give your calves, and your people the best. 🐮

If you’re looking for mental health support resources, visit https://hubs.ly/Q04hr8X40

Colostrum isn’t just for day one ✨

Day one still sets the foundation, the first feeding delivers critical IgGs for passive transfer, helping protect calves before their immune system is functional. As those maternal antibodies begin to decline in the days that follow, continued colostrum feeding during the first two weeks helps support gut health and protect calves when disease risk peaks.

Strong transfer on day one 🐮 Continued support when it matters most.
🔗 Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04cD5l-0


(Renaud & Steele, 2025)

🐄 What really shapes calf health before weaning?

A University of Guelph study followed 2,349 Holstein calves across 9 Ontario dairies—and confirmed: early decisions matter more than you think.

Colostrum quality, prenatal care, and routine lung checks aren’t optional—they’re critical to survival.

In the first 24 hours of life, a calf’s intestine is at its peak ability to absorb antibodies from colostrum.

Make sure your calves receive the colostrum they need to build strong immunity and get the healthiest possible start!

Colostrum does more than deliver antibodies—it protects before immunity even begins. 🛡️🐮

After birth, calves move from a sterile environment into barns full of bacteria and pathogens—without a single antibody in circulation. While IgGs take time to act, colostrum’s antimicrobial compounds get to work immediately, providing critical first-line defense in the gut.

🔗 Learn More: https://hubs.ly/Q04cD9880

IIn our industry, success isn’t just measured in performance—it’s felt in the day-to-day wellbeing of the people behind the work.

We’ve heard it time and again: when calves get the right start, everything runs smoother. And when everything runs smoother, the impact goes far beyond the operation, it supports the mental wellbeing of the people caring for them.

Because every challenge, every loss, and every setback carries weight.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize that the care we give animals is deeply connected to the care of people. Investing in strong starts isn’t just good practice—it helps create healthier environments for everyone involved.

For mental health resources, visit https://hubs.ly/Q04gKnrg0.

Calves thrive with high quality, whole bovine colostrum🐮

When colostrum tests below target, enrichment helps deliver the antibodies calves need—right from the first feeding.
How to enrich with confidence:
1️⃣ Measure Brix % – Check colostrum quality with a refractometer.
2️⃣ Below 25% Brix? Use the Colostrum Calculator to determine how many grams of SCCL to add.
3️⃣ Add & mix – Stir thoroughly in warm water until fully dissolved.
4️⃣ Feed quickly – Offer enriched colostrum within 2 hours of birth.

Simple process. Stronger starts. Healthier calves.
👉 Download the Colostrum Calculator: https://hubs.ly/Q04cD6BQ0

Maximizing the use of maternal colostrum from the dams in your herd should be the first step 🐮

Low Brix = low IgG = less protection when it matters most. When quality falls short, colostrum enrichment helps close the gap, boosting IgG levels and supporting calf immunity from the very first feeding.

Simple steps. Stronger calves.
👉 Enrichment Guide: https://hubs.ly/Q04d7g1P0