The Research Column

Colostrum management to provide adequate immunological protection to new born calves has been well investigated, and thresholds for colostrum quality, as well as optimum volume and timing for colostrum feeding have been established. However, less is known about the effect of colostrum from a single dam versus pooled colostrum from several cows on passive immunity, as well as the subsequent antibody survival in the calf.

Milk consumption is motivated by both familiarity and habit and usually decreases with age. However, consumption during childhood and adolescence increases the chances of lifetime milk consumption. Understanding how parents perceive dairy milk and other dairy foods further enables development of dairy-positive messaging that aligns with their perceptions. The objective of the research by Dr A.N. Schiano and colleagues, done in North-Carolina, therefore was to understand parent belief systems around fluid dairy milk and plant-based alternatives (PBA).