Importance of the colostrum period in the infectious diseases’ prophylaxis in newborn calves

Abstract

An important period in the development of immunity and effective protection against calf diseases is the colostrum period, when the transfer of passive immunity from cow to calf occurs. Diseases of calves can be prevented from the first hours of life, by absorbing as much immunoglobulin as possible from the colostrum. This study examines the role played by calf health management during the first three days post calving in its susceptibility to infection and the effect on future production performance. Studies and scientific communications were reviewed in order to collect information on the prevention of calf pathology by passive transfer of immunoglobulins from colostrum in the first hours after calving. The amount of colostrum at the first meal, the Brix value of the colostrum, and the time when the newborn calves received the first colostrum influence the transfer of passive immunity, the incidence/severity of the pathology developed, and the productive performance of the farm (reduction of slaughter rate, reduction of age at first calving, increasing milk production performance). All dairy farms must implement a colostrum management protocol to ensure that the newborn calf has assimilated sufficient antibodies during the colostrum period. This study is based on research carried out within the DISARM project which received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 817591.