Make sure calves are nursing. This milk contains essential protective antibodies that calves do not possess on their own. Calves should consume at least two quarts within two hours of birth and another two quarts by the time they are 12 hours old, Hartwig advised. Additionally, Hartwig said, the colostrum should be natural and come from cows within the herd. And synthetic replacements are only 10 to 20 percent as effective as natural colostrum and are quite expensive.
Producers can take colostrum from cows and freeze it for up to a year.
Attack the problem early. Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent the disease from spreading to other calves in the herd. Administer oral fluids. Calves can become dehydrated fairly quickly. There are very good commercial electrolyte powders available on the market today that are great for oral rehydration.