The five Qs of colostrum management:
Quality: Measure colostrum quality using a colostrometer or a Brix refractometer. Only good quality colostrum (>50g/L of IgG) should be given to calves or stored.
Quantity: Calves should be fed at least 4L (or 10% of bodyweight) of good quality colostrum within 4h of birth.
Quickly: Colostrum concentration decreases by 3.7% each subsequent hour post calving and the calves ability to efficiently absorb colostrum also reduces rapidly.
sQueaky clean: Wash your hands and wear gloves when collecting, storing or giving colostrum to avoid contaminating. Only use clean equipment
Quantify: Routinely blood test calves 1-7 days old for total proteins to assess the successfulness of passive transfer of antibodies.
If you have any concerns about colostrum management on farm, please get in touch. We can provide training on how to monitor colostrum quality and the use of the refractometer, as well as regular visits to monitor your calf’s immunoglobulin levels and check for failure of passive transfer by blood testing sample groups.
