Neonatal Management and Colostrum Feeding of the Calf

Question 1

What is Failure of Passive Transfer

Answer 1

Calf born in immunocompromised state
Needs to ingest quality colostrum (>50 mg/ml IgG) to develop passive immunity
Colostral IgG molecules absorbed across neonatal intestinal epithelial cells
Calves with FPT have higher morbidity and mortality rates and poorer reproductive and productive performance

Question 2

Effects of Failure of passive transfer

Answer 2

Short term effects:
- More death
- More sickness

Longer term effects:
- Production effects (growth and milk production)
- Animal Welfare implications

Question 3

Why is colostrum so important?

Answer 3

Immediate humoral immunity i.e. antibodies
Local (intestinal) immunity
Energy
If not adequate = Failure of passive transfer (FPT)

Question 4

What are the 3 Qs of colostrum management

Answer 4

Quickly
Quantity
Quality

Question 5

Outline the volume and timing of colustrum feeding

Answer 5

The calf needs:
10-15% of its bodyweight
Within the first 6-12 hours of life

Question 6

What antibody is found in high quantities in colustrum

Answer 6

IGG

Question 7

What is gold colustrum

Answer 7

1st milking colostrum

Question 8

2 main measures of quality of colustrum

Answer 8

High antibody and low bacteria

Question 9

What if the calf’s own mother’s colostrum is not available?

Answer 9

1. Fresh colostrum from another cow from same farm
   - Fridge within 1 hour, lasts 7 days
2. Frozen colostrum from another cow from same farm
   - Lasts 12 months in freezer, defrost SLOWLY, Not > 50 degrees
3. Artificial colostrum (supplement vs replacer)
4. Colostrum from another farm)

Question 10

Why is bacterial contamination in colustrum bad

Answer 10

High bacteria counts in colostrum (particularly coliform bacteria) can interfere with absorption of IgG