Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center

Percent calves born dead, died, or were lost during 1996 NAHMS Beef ’97 Study Born dead 24 hrs or less 24 hrs – 3 wks 3 wks – weaning

Age Immunity Passive Antibodies from colostrum Age Immunity Passive Antibodies from colostrum Acquired Active immune response Age Immunity PassiveAcquired Window of vulnerability

Failure of Passive Transfer 1600 mg/dl – 3.2 – 9.5 times more likely to become sick – 5.4 times more likely to die Wittum and Perino, mg/dl – 1.6 times more likely to become sick – 2.7 times more likely to die Dewell, et. al., 2006

Colostrum management “First milk”:

Colostrum management “First milk”: – Immunoglobulin (antibodies) – Fat – Vitamin A & E – Carbohydrates and protein Give adequate volume ASAP

Colostrum management

“First milk”: – Immunoglobulin (antibodies) – Fat – Vitamin A & E – Carbohydrates and protein Give adequate volume ASAP Feed immediately

Calculation: 100 lbs calf = 45.5 kg calf ~ 7% of body wt is blood => 3.2 liters = 32.0 dl ~ 70% of blood is serum => 22.4 dl ~6.7 gm of protein/dl of blood => 150 gm protein (minimum) ~ 0.55 gm IgG/gm of protein => 82 gm IgG Rule of Thumb: Feed 1 gram IgG per pound of body weight

Colostrum management “First milk”: – Immunoglobulin (antibodies) – Fat – Vitamin A & E – Carbohydrates and protein Give adequate volume ASAP Feed immediately 1 gram/lb body wt

Colostrum management “First milk”: – Immunoglobulin (antibodies) – Fat – Vitamin A & E – Carbohydrates and protein Give adequate volume ASAP Feed immediately 1 gram/lb body wt Sources

Colostrum management “First milk”: – Immunoglobulin (antibodies) – Fat – Vitamin A & E – Carbohydrates and protein Give adequate volume ASAP Feed immediately 1 gram/lb body wt Sources – Dam – Cow herdmate – fresh or frozen – Dairy colostrum? – Powdered colostrum?