Colostrum management tips for 2021 lambing

摘要

Good colostrum management is the number one way to avoid disease in neonatal lambs, and sets them up tc achieve target growth rates.With lambing season almost upon us, now is the time to review how to maximise the benefits from colostrum to achieve healthy lambs and lower production costs.Drinking colostrum transfers antibodies, energy and minerals to newborn lambs. It is their first source of disease immunity, as the antibodies give them the ability to respond and protect against a range of pathogens. This includes protection against theneonatal diseases, such as e.coli, joint ill and pneumoniaThe energy component of colostrum is also important. Each lamb is born with a reserve of brown fat, which is their only source of energy. Without energy intake soon after birth, lambs quickly get cold, they struggle to move around, and this can be fatalonce the brown fat reserves are depleted.