Colostrum management is a crucial aspect of calf health, fundamentally influencing the future productivity and resilience of dairy herds. However, despite its critical importance, many colostrum feeding practices are based on recommendations that are over two decades old. As science evolves, so should the guidelines for feeding newborn calves. Recent studies offer valuable insights into improving colostrum feeding practices, ensuring that calves receive the highest quality nutrition during their crucial first hours of life.

Challenges with current colostrum feeding protocols

For many years, farmers have adhered to the widely accepted recommendation of feeding 4 quarts of colostrum — approximately 10% of a newborn calf’s body weight — during the first feeding. This practice, based on long-standing guidelines, was established to guarantee that calves receive sufficient nutrients and antibodies to support their developing immune systems. However, emerging research and technology are revealing opportunities for improvement.

Calves can experience discomfort, pain, or lesions in the abomasum if they are given excessively large volumes of colostrum, which can adversely affect their digestion and overall health. Additionally, if colostrum is aspirated into the lungs, it can result in serious respiratory issues, while a large colostral curd can form in the stomach which may lead to colic, further compromising the calf's health.

While ensuring an adequate volume is crucial, the immunoglobulin (Ig) concentration in colostrum is essential for providing the antibodies necessary for optimal protection. The Brix refractometer is commonly used to estimate Ig levels, empowering farmers to make informed decisions about colostrum quality. Farmers have always prioritized doing what was right for their calves by following the best practices available at the time. Now it’s clear that focusing on both the quantity and quality of colostrum is crucial to giving calves the best possible start in life.

The new gold standard: Better colostrum management practices

The importance of colostrum management cannot be overstated. Research indicates that calves receiving 3.25 quarts of high-quality colostrum have serum Ig levels 20% higher than those fed 4 quarts, offering better protection against early-life diseases like scours and respiratory infections, showing that a smaller volume resulted in better absorption.¹

Strategic colostrum management can also reduce waste, particularly during shortages, allowing farms to increase their colostrum supply by up to 25% and ensuring more calves receive the nutrition they need.¹

Producers should focus on providing the correct mass and volume of colostrum for optimal absorption.

New colostrum management app technologies can aid in implementing optimal feeding strategies, enabling farmers to make informed decisions based on the quality and quantity of colostrum available. By improving feeding strategies, dairy producers can support calf health and promote greater productivity in adult cows.

Producers seeking to deepen their understanding of updated colostrum management practices, please connect with your trusted Land O’ Lakes Animal Milk Solutions representative.

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References

1 M. Conneely, D.P. Berry, J.P. Murphy, I. Lorenz, M.L. Doherty and E. Kennedy. Effect of feeding colostrum at different volumes and subsequent number of transition milk feeds on the serum immunoglobulin G concentration and health status of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science. 2014. Available at: https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/action/showPdf?pii=S0022-0302%2814%2900589-X

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