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)
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