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.
UPCOMING SPECIAL FEEDER SALES:
MONDAY, JUNE 2 MONDAY, JUNE 9 MONDAY, JUNE 16
Sales every Monday, Wednesday and Friday PAY US A VISIT...Were 2 miles north of Escalon MIGUEL A. MACHADO, PRESIDENT office (209) 838-7011 mobile (209) 595-2014 FIELD REPRESENTATIVES Joe Viera..............................(209) 531-4156 Thomas Bert ......................(209) 605-3866 Tony Luis ............................(209) 609-6455 Dudley Meyer ....................(209) 768-8568
visit us online at escalonlivestockmarket.com
25525 Lone Tree Rd. P.O. Box 26 Escalon, CA 95320 Office (209) 838-7011 Fax (209) 838-1535 June 2014 California Cattleman 13