Effect of Feeding One or Two Doses of a Colostrum-Derived Commercial Colostrum Replacer on Passive Transfer of Immunoglobulin Gin Newborn Dairy Calves

Abstract

Colostrum is the single most important management factor determining calf health and survival. Calves experiencing successful passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins (serum IgG > 10.0 mg/ml) have improved preweaning health and survival, improved growth rate and feed efficiency, reduced age at onset of puberty, reduced age at first calving, and improved first and second lactation milk production. Unfortunately, many producers continue to suffer significant losses related to poor colostrum management. Factors affecting the success of a colostrum management program include 1) Quality of colostrum fed, 2) quantity of colostrum fed, 3) quickness of providing the first colostrum feeding and 4) cleanliness of colostrum (i.e. bacterial contamination). Use of commercial colostrum replacement products may offer multiple advantages, including consistent quality, convenience, and cleanliness. However, it is important to evaluate the ability of commercially available colostrum replacement (CR) products to achieve successful passive transfer of immunoglobulin G (lgG) in calves managed under field conditions. The objective of this study was to describe passive transfer of lgG in newborn calves fed one or two doses ( 100 gm IgG or 200 g IgG) of a commercial colostrum-derived colostrum replacement (CR: Land O'Lakes Colostrum Replacement®, Land O'Lakes Animal Milk Products, St. Paul, MN) or 4 quarts of maternal colostrum (MC).