Evaluation of Colostrum Quality, Passive Immunity, and Dairy Calf Management Practices in Alberta

Abstract

Failure of passive transfer of immunity (FPT) in dairy calves is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. In this study, which involved 14 dairy farms in central Alberta, 44.2% of calves had FPT when serum total protein was used as a measure while 27.8% had FPT when serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) was used. Risk of FPT was associated with amount of colostral IgG consumed. Low risk of FPT was associated with feeding a combination of waste, sale, and milk replacer as the second feeding after colostrum. Higher risk of FPT was associated with feeding a colostrum supplement compared to frozen-thawed or colostrum replacer. Tube feeding of colostrum was associated with reduced growth and increased risk of death. Both the Brix refractometer and colostrometer are suitable tools to indirectly measure colostral IgG when used at cut points of 23% and 80 mg/mL, respectively.