Preparation is important for cow health during calving season, according to veterinarians Dr. Erika Nagorske and Dr. Spencer Wolter of Southwest Veterinary Services. They provided guidance on how to prepare pregnant cows so that calves receive necessary antibodies, as well as steps to take if calves require additional support.
Vaccination timing plays a key role in calving preparation. The veterinarians noted that most producers vaccinate their cows four to six weeks before calving, but ideally vaccinations should be given two to three months prior to birth. This ensures the mother has developed the right antibodies in her colostrum—the first milk produced after giving birth—which are then passed on to the calf.
Dr. Nagorske and Dr. Wolter explained that while a calf’s immune system is ready at birth, it lacks active antibodies and relies on its mother’s colostrum for initial protection against disease. Calves need to consume this antibody-rich milk within the first four hours of life for optimal absorption, as their ability to absorb antibodies declines rapidly after birth.
“Passive transfer is when an adequate amount of the mother cow’s antibodies are absorbed by the calf so that its immune system is set up for maximum potential,” they stated, specifying 150-200g of IgG as an adequate amount.
Failure of passive transfer can occur if there are issues with colostrum quality, quantity or timing—such as when a calf does not nurse soon enough after birth or if the colostrum lacks sufficient antibodies.
If a calf does not receive enough antibodies through natural nursing, supplemental products like OGH paste can be used. The veterinarians highlighted several advantages of OGH paste: it targets specific pathogens such as Salmonella and E.coli; promotes gut health by preserving beneficial bacteria; does not require refrigeration; is cost-effective; and does not need a prescription.
They advised administering OGH paste orally—10cc preventatively 24 hours after birth or up to 20cc during severe scouring events (digestive upset). One tube provides six doses.
During a Q&A session, Drs. Nagorske and Wolter addressed topics including optimal timing for calving (noting both early-season and late-season pros and cons), when veterinary intervention is needed during difficult labor (“The key thing to look for during calving is progress”), use of colostrum replacers (recommended if maternal supply is insufficient), appropriate dosing amounts (“150-200g of IgG is needed for passive transfer”), frequency of OGH administration depending on whether calves are bottle-fed or pasture-raised, and recommended naval treatments such as iodine tincture.
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