Colostrum

Nothing has a greater impact on an animal’s growth rates, productivity, longevity and lifetime yields than its colostrum status.

Colostrum is rich in energy, nutrients and antibodies called immunoglobulins. Calves are born with no immunity, and this source of antibodies is crucial for protection against disease.

Failure of passive transfer occurs when calves do not receive adequate immunoglobulin levels. On a blood samples, immunoglobulin levels <10mg/ml is a partial failure and levels <5mg/ml is a complete failure.

Immediate effects are:

• Higher susceptibility to pneumonia, scour and septicaemia
• Increase morbidity and mortality rates
• Reduced growth rates (110g/day less average daily gain)
• Increased time to weaning and puberty (an additional 15 days to puberty on average)

Long term effects are:

• Increases risk of chronic diseases: increased veterinary costs and culling rates
• Reduced milk production
  • Delayed time until first calving (an additional 18-21 days until first calving)
  • Lower lifetime yield (difference of 804kgs in the first lactation)
  • Less likely to reach second lactation
• Impaired reproductive performance:
  • Delayed puberty
  • Lower conception rates
  • Longer calving intervals (an additional 30 days on average)

Economic Impact

• Higher costs;
  • increased rearing costs,
  • increased veterinary costs
  • increased labour input
• Reduced Profitability
  • Decreased milk yields: by up to 10-20%.
  • Increased calving intervals
  • Earlier culling