Convert; Value to Feeding Calves
By: Dan Hoying
Calves are a dairy’s future source of income and are the result of investing in
genetics. Proper investments of time and effort to calf raising will pay off for
future success. Newborn calves are born with no functional immune system and it
is essential to give quality colostrum within the first few hours of birth to
protect the calf from foreign substances and diseases. In many cases, consumption
of colostrum is insufficient to meet the needs of the calf. The colostrum quality
may be poor due to an improperly balanced nutritional program or inadequate
vaccination protocols for the cow during pregnancy or after dry-off. Failure of
passive transfer occurs in a high percentage of calves born in the U.S.
A second “lag” occurs at 1 to 5 weeks old when the protection afforded by the
passive immunity declines and before the calf’s active immune system has built
up. This results in pre-weaning sickness of 50 percent or more and average calf
death losses of 5 to 8 percent. Antibodies and probiotics are ways to ensure a
healthy population of gut microbes to combat disease during this time. Sick
calves cost money; some you pay up front for treatment, the rest you pay in poor
lifetime performance. Having probiotics and antibodies in your calf’s diet will
help it get through stressful times faster, with less effort and reduces the risk
of lingering effects. Convert has proprietary L-form bacteria technology and Avian
antibodies in every dose.
One tool that has gained interest of late is the feeding of dried egg products
(Avian antibodies) produced from chickens that have been immunized for specific
antigens. Feeding of eggs to calves in an effort to stimulate their health and
development has occurred for years. Back when farms included at least a few of
every animal and poultry species, the hens roaming the barnyard were exposed to
every pathogen on the farm. While they would seldom show symptoms, these birds
would produce antibodies against these pathogens. Chickens only have one
opportunity to pass critical antibodies on to their chicks and must do so through
the egg. Farmers would mix eggs or egg yolks in with milk or milk replacer to
feed to young calves needing a “boost.”
Today, this practice has become much more technologically advanced. Flocks of
chickens are immunized with specific antigens in order to stimulate the hens
to produce specific antibodies (IgY) against the pathogens that may normally
cause intestinal tissue inflammation and diarrhea in the young calf. During the
process, the manufacturer also employs repeated quality control and assurance
processes to ensure purity and the measurement of target antibody levels. This
dried egg powder is a highly concentrated source of the antibodies.
Research done at Oklahoma St shows giving calves Convert reduces effects from
disease and makes treatment more effective with less retreating calves required.
Convert has four specific ingredients that fuel its mode of action. The first
are the specialized proteins derived via the avian production technology
discussed above. Secondly, Convert contains 4 strains of freeze-dried beneficial
bacteria:
1. Enterococcus faecium
2. Lactobacillus acidophilus
3. Bifidobacterium longum
4. Bifidobacterium thermophilum
- Bifidobacterium sp. are isolated in the guts of healthy calves.
Additionally, Convert contains two strains of L-form Lactobacillus. Given the fact
that shelf-life is critical, the L-forms are the most stable form of Lactobacillus
commercially available. Lastly, Convert contains microbial sugars which feed
the good bugs developing in the GI tract. As you can see, Convert is a very well
rounded product that offers many components to keep the newborn calf healthy and
ensure you are protecting your genetic investment.
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