Colostrum Vital To The Health of Newborn Calves

VET VIEWS
Colostrum Vital to the Health of Newborn calves

by Anita Varga, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Gold Coast Veterinary Service and Consulting, Esparto
In this vet views column, we will look further into
resuscitation strategies for the new born beef calf and
supplementation of colostrums, with suggestions to
establish colostrum strategies at your ranch. In last months
article, we briefly addressed this important topic. Ensuring
adequate colostrum intake is an important factor to get your
beef calves started and to keep them healthy.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is often called the first milk, but it is certainly
more than just milk. Colostrum contains a high number of
antibodies, also called immunoglobulins (Ig) that will help
protect the calf from infection. Colostrum also has great
nutritional value, providing fat and energy. Furthermore
it contains vitamins and minerals. It also helps to prevent
failure of passive transfer.
What is failure of passive transfer of
immunity?
The structure of the bovine placenta inhibits transfer
of antibodies into the colostrum and therefore calves are
born without any protective antibodies. The neonatal calf
is dependent on adequate amount and quality colostrum
ingestion after birth to acquire immunity, which is called
passive immunity. Inadequate colostrum intake leads to
failure of passive transfer (FPT). Failure of passive transfer
is associated with increased risk and severity of disease,
such as diarrhea and pneumonia. It also has been associated
12 California Cattleman June 2014
with a higher risk of death in beef calves before weaning.

The negative effects associated with FPT reach all the way
into the feeding period, and are associated with increased
treatment costs, reduced weight gain, and increased risk of
mortality. The presence of FPT in beef calves in North
America has been reported to be between 11 to 33 percent.
Why is colostrum intake important for
beef calves?
As mentioned above inadequate quantity or quality
colostrum intake has short and long term implications
for beef calves. Colostrum intake influences disease
susceptibility and mortality and influences productivity of
beef calves.
When can the calf absorb the
antibodies from the colostrum?
The ability of the neonatal calf to absorb antibodies
through the gastrointestinal wall declines rapidly after 4 to 6
hours after birth and ceases 24 hours after birth. After this
time period the intestinal tract cannot absorb any more large
proteins including immunoglobulins. The earlier the beef
calf fed/suckles after birth the greater the level of antibody
absorption and the greater the protection from disease.
Colostrum transfer to the calf is thus a function of quality
and quantity of the colostrum in addition to the timing of
administration. Therefore the first 24 hours of life are very
important for the calf and for the prevention of FPT.
How do I know my calf ingested

enough colostrum?
Beef calves are left to nurse with the dam, so the
assessment of the amount of colostrum ingested is
challenging. However, if the calf is not up and observed
to nurse from the dam, there is concern that the calf is not
ingesting enough colostrum and, therefore, at risk for FPT.
If you are not sure, you should go ahead and feed the calf
with colostrum.
Can I test calves for passive transfer?
If you experience a high number of diseased calves, it is
advised to check their status of their transfer of immunity.
Calves are usually tested between 2 and 10 days of age. Your
veterinarian can draw a blood sample and either check the
total protein or the IgG levels in the blood, which gives an
estimation of the immune status of your calves.
Which calves are at risk of receiving
inadequate amount of colostrum?
Lower blood antibody concentrations have been found
in calves born during dystocias. Bull calves may be more
commonly affected then heifers, but this might indirectly be
associated with the fact that bull calves are more commonly
born during dystocias.
Cold-stressed or wet calves may be reluctant to get up
and suckle and, therefore, are at higher risk for FPT. It also
has been reported that intestinal absorption of colostral
antibodies in these calves is decreased.
How much and when should I give

colostrum to the beef calf?
As a simple rule you want to give the calf colostrum
within 2 to 4 hours of life, repeating 10 to 12 hours later.
This will ensure that the calf has the best chance to absorb it
through the gastrointestinal tract. It is recommended to tube
the calf so that it does not habituate to bottle feeding, leaving
it with the drive to nurse from the dam. Additionally it will
ensure that everything was ingested by the calf.
The amount of colostrum given to the calf depends on
its weight, as well as the quality of colostrum. A practical
rule is to feed 5 to 6 percent of the calf s body weight in
colostrum per feeding. Example: An 80-pound calf would
receive 2 quarts of colostrum per feeding.
Can I use colostrum replacement
products?
Colostrum replacement products (CRP) are given if
colostrum from the cow is not available or if is not given
due to biosecurity reasons, such as prevention of disease
transmission from milk. High quality CRPs have a minimum
of 60 grams of IgG per liter.
Superior to CRP is frozen colostrum which can be stored
at -18 to -25 degrees Celsius (-13 to 0 degrees Farenheit) to
for at least a year without changes in quality. You may be able
to purchase frozen colostrum from a local dairy. However
be aware that you could potentially transmit diseases, such as
Johnes disease, from one herd to another with this practice.
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VET VIEWS

Colostrum Vital to the Health of Newborn calves

12 California Cattleman June 2014

with a higher risk of death in beef calves before weaning.

How do I know my calf ingested

How much and when should I give

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