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C A L F MANAG E M E N T
J U L I AN A L L EN
What else is important to know about
colostrum
?
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The cow is a major source of potential
pathogens to which the calf will be
exposed, particularly when hygiene is
poor. Dr Leadley favours removing calves
from cows as soon as possible after birth
to reduce this risk. If a calf has a 'manure
meal' while searching for the teat, prior to
receiving colostrum, large numbers of
harmful bacteria may colonise the gut and
cause scours or septicaemia. Whether or
not a calf succumbs to disease depends
on the balance between its immune
defences and the disease challenges
it faces.
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As well as providing the calf with IG,
colostrum is an important source of energy,
minerals and vitamins. It also contains
immune cells and proteins which may have
a longer term effect on the development of
the calf's immune system. Research has
shown that animals receiving 4 litres of
colostrum at birth gave 550 litres more
milk in their first lactation compared with
those receiving only 2 litres.
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2nd milking colostrum and 'transition milk'
can be used to blend with whole milk
or milk replacer during the first days of
life. This provides a source of IG in the
calf's intestine which helps protect
against scours.
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A simple blood test can be used by
your vet to determine whether your
colostrum feeding programme is creating
adequate passive immunity in your calves.
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In Johnes disease infected herds remember
that colostrum from infected cows should
not be fed to calves.
Bacteria will multiply rapidly in colostrum
when stored at room temperature. The
number of bacteria can double every 20
minutes at cow body temperature and the
resulting 'bacterial soup' described by Dr
Leadley can cause significant diarrhoea
problems when fed to young calves.
Bacterial contamination can be avoided
with improved colostrum handling:
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Colostrum should be harvested from
clean dry teats into a clean bucket.
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Feed the fresh colostrum within
half an hour after it is harvested.
Prompt feeding gets the colostrum
into the calf before bacteria start to
multiply. Remember to feed with a
clean bottle or tube feeder.
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Colostrum held for feeding later in
the day should be chilled to less than
15°C within half an hour. Chilling
significantly slows the rate of bacterial
multiplication. A 2 litre plastic bottle
containing ice works well when
added to a bucket containing 8 litres
of colostrum.
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If necessary, store chilled colostrum
in clean sanitised containers in a
refrigerator. Check that the temperature
in your refrigerator is no higher than
4°C. Even when refrigerated,
colostrum quality will deteriorate
after 48 hrs.
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It is useful to keep a store of frozen
colostrum on farm. Colostrum can be
frozen in zip-lock plastic bags. Fill
large bags with one litre of colostrum
and freeze laid flat in the freezer so
they are thin and will thaw quickly
when required. Thaw frozen colostrum
in 50°C warm (not hot water) to
avoid damaging IG. Or use a
microwave on low 'defrost' setting,
pouring off the liquid as it appears.
Using a turntable minimises damage
to the IG. Frozen colostrum will
preserve antibodies effectively for
up to a year.
BACTERIAL
CONTAMINATION
OF COLOSTRUM
S UMMARY
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Excellent colostrum management is the
foundation for successful calf rearing.
Remember the three Qs.
Quality,
Quantity and Quickly.
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Control bacterial contamination of
colostrum through proper handling
and storage.
AUTUMN 2010 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
8
Excellent colostrum management is the foundation
for successful calf rearing. Remember the three Qs.
Quality, Quantity and Quickly.