Effect of colostrum replacer supplementation of milk replacer on the risk of antibiotic treatment and performance of pre-weaned dairy calves

Abstract

Concerns over the risks of emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to excessive antibiotic use in food producing animals has led to increased restrictions of their use to treat and prevent common infectious diseases. Additionally, the absence of discovery and development of new antibiotics has prompted efforts to develop alternatives to antimicrobial use. Daily supplementation of milk replacer with immunoglobulins and immune factors from colostrum replacers could be an alternative prophylactic measure to decrease antibiotic usage in young dairy calves. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of colostrum supplementation of milk replacer on the risk of antibiotic treatment and weight gain of pre-weaned dairy calves.