The quality, quantity and quickness of colostrum intake sets the scene for the lifetime productivity of a calf.

In utero, calves live in a sterile environment where the dam provides all the disease protection necessary. As such, calves are born devoid of antibodies. Over the first 24 hours of life, the calf absorbs whole antibodies, or immunoglobulins (Ig), from colostrum through the intestinal wall. This passive transfer helps calves combat disease and infection during the first few weeks of life.

Calves that fail to absorb enough immunoglobulins in those first 24 hours are said to have suffered Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT). FPT can result in increased mortality rates, disease and long-term reductions in animal productivity. In 2015, Dairy NZ and the Sustainable Farming Fund undertook a study of 4,000 dairy calves from nine regions across New Zealand. The research found that on average 33 percent of all calves fail to absorb enough immunoglobulin-G (IgG), and the range from farm to farm is 5 to 80 percent.

To ensure your calves get off to the best start possible, it pays to review the three Qs: Quality, Quantity and Quickness of colostrum feeding.

Quality

The best quality colostrum is taken from healthy cows milked as soon after calving as possible. This “gold colostrum” contains significantly more nutrients compared to whole milk. Gold colostrum

also has the highest concentration of immunoglobulins.1 Not all gold colostrum is created equally. Factors such as first milk volume, immune status of the cow, length of the dry period, dry cow nutrition, age and breed of the cow can affect the concentration of immunoglobulins. To ensure the highest quality colostrum is given to the most vulnerable calves, testing colostrum is strongly recommended.

Testing quality

The Shoof BRIX-scale refractometer enables easy testing of colostrum quality.

1. Two drops of the colostrum to be tested are placed on the glass prism.
2. The instrument is then aimed towards the light and the immunoglobulin-G level is read off the internal scale.
3. Readings above 22 percent indicate high-quality (high immunoglobulin-G) concentration ‘gold’ colostrum. This refractometer tool allows for testing of individual cows as well as pooled colostrum, delivering the best colostrum to your calves for a gold medal result.

Quantity and quickness 

Once the highest quality colostrum is identified, the calf should receive 10 percent of her birth body weight (for example, 3.5 litres for a 35 kg calf) within 6 to 12 hours of birth. A set of bathroom scales at the calf shed is a good idea to ensure we are feeding the right amount to the right calf. While it is acknowledged calving is a very busy time, collecting colostrum twice a day goes a long way to ensuring the calves have the best opportunity to consume the immunoglobulins as quickly as possible to optimise passive transfer.