Time of Colostrum Feeding Makes a Difference

Maximum IgG Concentration

Compare the maximum concentration of antibodies in the calf's blood between calves fed colostrum within 45 minutes after birth and calves fed colostrum 6 hours after birth.

All calves fed 7.5% of birth weight of heat-treated colostrum testing 62g/L antibodies. For example, 90 pound calf received a little over 3 quarts. This feeding contained about 180-185g of antibodies.

The maximum antibody concentration was:

Fed at 45 minutes = 25.5 mg/ml

Fed at 6 hours       = 18.2 mg/ml

Difference? 40 percent!

Is it a good management decision to delay colostrum feeding even out to 6 hours after birth?

Reference: Fisher, A.J. and Others "Effect of delaying colostrum feeding on passive transfer and intestinal bacterial colonizaton in neonatal male Holstein calves." Journal of Dairy Science 101:30299-3109 (April 2018)

Good Summary Article

"4 steps to achieve successful passive transfer in newborn calves"

This article written by Amanda Fisher-Tlustos (University of Guelph) focuses attention on 4 key factors that drive successful passive transfer of immunity in newborn calves. 

It was published in the August 25 issue of Progressive Dairy (pp 54-55)

This is the URL

https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/calves-heifers/4-steps-to-achieve-successful-passive-transfer-in-newborn-calves

It's probably not a surprise that the steps are (1) Quality, (2)Quantity, (3) Timing and (4) Low bacteria count. You will enjoy seeing the newest research data.

How Much Energy is in My Calf Starter?

And, When to Wean Calves based on Starter Intake.

All of this and more at Jim Quigley's Calf Notes site. Calf Note 209, "How much energy is in my starter," asks these questions:

• What makes a good starter?
• What is the point when the gastrointestinal tract sufficiently mature to wean the calf?
• Is the key fact how much starter the calf consumed today or how much she has consumed so far in her life?

Jim comments, "We may overestimate the contribution of ME (metabolizable energy) from starters early in life."

https://www.calfnotes.com/new/en/  is the URL.

Enjoy.

Why do Calves Get Sick

This is the title of a presentation given at the 2018 Healthy Calf Conference in Ontario, Canada.

Here is the link

http://calfcare.ca/why-young-calves-get-sick-and-what-you-can-do-to-stop-it/

The presenter, Mike Ballou from Texas Tech Univ., makes an easy to read presentation based on calf growth and development from birth.