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Newborn animals are vulnerable to infection and disease. Immunoglobulins (Ig’s) are the first defence against disease and necessary for stimulation of the immune system.

Young ruminants (calves, lambs, kids) are born with negligible circulating concentrations of immunoglobulins (antibodies). Ig’s do not pass across the placenta prior to birth. Since there is no maternal sharing, ensuring that calves receive these Ig’s at birth is the only way to protect a newborn from environmental and disease challenges. Colostrum must be fed as soon as possible (within the first hour, preferably within 30 minutes of birth). Ig’s are absorbed intact into the newborn’s blood stream within a 6 hour window.

Young animal diseases often affect the gastrointestinal tract where they cause damage and symptoms of disease – diarrhea and dehydration. The intestines of young animals are not fully developed for several months. Ig cells help protect the gastrointestinal tract from pathogens. Colostrum also has a laxative effect and stimulates the normal function of the digestive tract.

Most importantly perhaps, Ig’s from colostrum stimulate the immune system. By building this “memory bank”, young animals now have the tools to mount a defense against disease.

“Young ruminants (calves, lambs, kids) are born with negligible circulating concentrations of immunoglobulins (antibodies).“

Observations from the Grober Young Animal Development Centre (GYADC)

Further to disease prevention, early ingestion of good quality colostrum supports better gains in calves. During 2009 at the Grober Young Animal Development Centre, all calves entering the facility were tested for total proteins using blood serum. Calves were classified as failure of passive transfer (FPT) for total protein values <5.5mg/dL and successful passive transfer (SPT) for value above 5.6 mg/dL. All calves had received dam’s colostrum on their home farm according to a standard protocol.

During two separate trials at the Centre, calf growth was plotted and graphed according to total protein results (FPT or SPT).

In trial one, growth was plotted over a 10 week period. By the 5th week, SPT calves out-weighed FPT calves by 1.6kg (3.5lb) and by week 10 by 2.2kg (4.8lb). All calves were fed the same volume of Grober Excel milk replacer (6L/day).

In a second feeding trial, calves were fed an accelerated amount of Grober Excel (9L/day). By 10 weeks SPT calves outweighed FPT calves by 5.4kg (11.9lb) (see Figure 1). Even by 10 weeks of age, the gap in body weights between the two groups did not narrow. For every gram of milk replacer fed, the calves with SPT utilized these nutrients with greater efficiency. This data supports the vital concept that the first meal (colostrum) provides rich nutrients and antibodies with long term benefits.

Figure 1 Body weight comparison between calves with successful passive transfer and failure passive transfer.

What is Colostrum?

Colostrum is the thick, creamy, yellow secretion provided from the mammary gland for the first 24 hours after birth.

Colostrum provides a source of immunoglobulins (Ig’s) and other nutrients (protein, energy, vitamins and minerals, gut growth factors) vital for the newborn.

Immunoglobulins (antibodies) help to prevent infections by identifying and destroying pathogens. There are three main Ig’s identified in cow’s milk: IgG, IgA and IgM. The antibodies that the dam passes on depends on the diseases she has been exposed to throughout her life. First lactation animals, for this reason, will often secrete a more limited range of antibodies.

Newborns are born with very low energy stores and generally poor insulative protection, especially during the first few hours after birth. Energy from colostrum (through fat and lactose) supplies calories to help with thermoregulation. Heat production is important for survival and in particular, for animals born into cold environments in helping to prevent hypothermia. Proteins in colostrum are utilized for protein synthesis in addition to the absorption of Ig’s.

Vitamins A, D and E do not cross the placenta in significant amounts, so the newborn must rely on oral ingestion for these vitamins. Levels in colostrum are significantly higher than milk, but will depend on maternal nutrition prior to birth. These vitamins are important to the animal for the resistance of disease.

Growth factors are thought to promote gut growth and development, especially during the first 24-48 hours after birth.

Collection, Feeding, Handling & Storage

Please visit the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine web site for colostrum handling protocol.

http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/dms/fapm/fapmtools/8calf/colosprot.pdf

http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/dms/fapm/fapmtools/calves.htm

Calf’s Choice Total

A quality commercial colostrum replacer product is a safe and effective alternative to dam’s colostrum. Colostrum replacers provide consistent, disease free, and guaranteed levels of Ig’s. Along with the protective immunity, certain colostrum replacers offer rich nutrition needed by young animals. Colostrum replacers are of particular importance when high quality colostrum is not available or during a Johne’s eradication program.

Commercial products must provide sufficient biologically active IgG’s. Calf’s Choice Total is a supplement product that guarantees 100g of IgG per package (470g). Typically this is enough to have successful passive transfer. This product is Canadian sourced colostrum and tested with selection for antibodies toward specific diseases such as E. coli, Bovine Rotavirus and Bovine Coronavirus. All products are tested to ensure that it is free of Johne’s bacterium, free of Salmonella and free of E. coli.

Calf’s Choice Total was compared to other colostrum replacer products on the market (see Figure 2). Through both feeding approaches (1 bag or 2), calves fed Calf’s Choice Total not only met minimum SPT levels but surpassed those levels; the competitor product in both cases did not achieve minimum threshold.

*Attention to detail is required in storage and mixing instructions (i.e. use clean vessels for mixing and feeding, clean water to rehydrate colostrum supplements or replacers, etc.). Store product in a cool dry place and once mixed, use immediately.

Kathleen Shore, MSc.
Nutritionist
Grober Nutrition
(800) 265-7863 ex.201
kshore@grober.com

Colostrum Replacers

Calf’s Choice Total

HeadStart™ HiCal – Colostrum for Goat Kids

HeadStart™ HiCal- Colostrum for Lambs

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Calves reared for veal are usually transported from the dairy farm to the rearing unit during the first 2 weeks of life. The vigour of calves after arrival at the rearing unit is dependent on:

• Their vitality before leaving the dairy farm (colostrum quality and quantity, timing and hygiene)
• Duration and nature of the transfer (climatic stresses, deprivation of milk and water, handling, noise)
• Changes in environmental conditions (mixing calves, high infection risk, change in housing system, climate, feeding level and composition etc.)

Calves are especially vulnerable to infections and diseases. All the above factors may reduce the calf’s ability to fight new disease challenges.

The period of 2 to 3 weeks after arrival at the rearing unit is considered the most critical phase in veal production. The priority during this period is not only to optimize growth but more importantly to control and minimize the occurrence of health disorders.  (J.Schrama et al, J.Dairy Sci.1992)
 
After arrival at the veal unit, the appetite of these calves may be low. The importance of feeding a high energy, quality milk replacer is paramount in maintaining the calf’s thermoneutrality and optimizing growth and the immune system. These young calves tend not to be in a steady state of energy metabolism. If low levels of feed are offered and the calf’s energy requirement for maintenance is not met, then the calf will be partially dependent upon the mobilization of body energy reserves to meet energy requirements. This will reflect in low or negative growth rates. (Postema 1985)

Heat production is an important criteria in calf survival at this young age. Heat production decreases with time during this 2-week period and is affected by feeding level and ambient temperature. i.e. At low feeding levels, animals are less cold tolerant. (Schrama, 1993)

Nutrition

Restricted feeding can impair the immune system. (Kelly, 1980)
Calves fed a higher amount of milk replacer (600g vs 400g/d) and ad-libitum access to calf starter had the greatest gains and the least mortality. (Williams et al, 1981)
Low level of nutrition results in impaired immune response in young calves. Griebel et al, 1987; Pollock et al. 1993,1994.

Stress can affect the apparent digestibility of energy and thus utilization of feed ME. (Schrama, 1993).
If feed is restricted, digested dietary protein is used as an energy source. (Mcdonald et al, 1981) This will negatively affect protein gains and will increase the production of urea and energy loss via urine. This is not an efficient use of feed supplied.

Conclusion

Energy shortage (by low feeding levels or inappropriate ration) in newly purchased calves is undesirable since it may be a predisposing factor for health disorders.

Newly purchased calves should be fed an adequate level of a high quality balanced milk replacer to overcome stress challenges and provide for optimum growth.

Andre Roy MSc.
Sally Charlton BSc. (Hons)
 April 2003

Grouping

After weaning, calves should be housed in equal sized / aged groups, ideally one week after milk feeding has ceased. This avoids two major changes in routine at one time. Group calves according to size.

Weaning from a machine feeding system is normally reached earlier (as early as week 5) and should still be tied to starter intake (min 900g for 3 consecutive days).

Environment

The calf’s environment is very important in ensuring its health. Calf housing should provide a clean environment that promotes healthy calves, minimizes disease risk and mortality and hence encourages high growth rates. One of the most common diseases caused by its environment is pneumonia. It can be prevented by:

• A warm dry bed

• Adequate pen dimensions

• Easy access to feed and water

• Keeping stocking density low

• Providing adequate ventilation with minimum draft

• Relative humidity should be kept low and air movements maintained even in cold weather

• Not mixing calves from different sources

Calf accommodation and pens should be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and de-stocked on a regular basis.

The climatic environment of the calf can have a major influence on its nutritional requirements.

Extremes in both heat and cold will impact the calves’ efforts to maintain a constant level of body heat and continue to be productive. Calves have a thermo-neutral zone considered to be 10°C to 26°C. Environmental temperatures outside that range result in higher caloric demands simply for maintenance. The lower critical temperature of a calf declines with age (see table below).

Age calf (day)	Lower critical  temperature °C
1	13.4
10	10.8
20	8.4
30	6.4

This energy requirement detracts from growth and may have a negative effect on efficiency and even health. Research, under controlled conditions with adequate bedding and dry humidity, indicate that calves housed at -4°C require about 30% more calories for maintenance. This number will increase as temperatures reduce, humidity rises and calves are subject to wet bedding etc.

Heat Stress: above 26°C increases cortisol and decreases colostrum absorption. High temperatures tend to reduce feed intake.

Andre Roy MSc.
Sally Charlton BSc. (Hons)
April 2003

his is the employment of management practices that reduce animal exposure to infectious agents. These management procedures complement efforts to make animals more resistant to infection. A Biosecurity program must be individually tailored to the herd and its specific concerns and goals.

Areas to consider include:

• Entry of new animals,
• Quarantine of new animals,
• Prepurchase vaccination, testing or screening for disease,
• Knowledge of the herd origin for new purchases,
• Minimize feed and water contamination
• Minimize environmental contamination,
• Disinfection procedures,
• Minimize contact between sick and healthy animals,
• Minimize faecal contamination,
• Fly and other insect control programs,
• Minimize contact with other species (including humans)

Biosecurity and Milk Replacers

The manufacturing processes of quality milk replacers ensure that the products are free of bacterial load and pathogens.
Grober products are consistent and formulated to high standards to ensure that the young animal is provided with the best possible nutrition and start in life.

Andre Roy MSc.
Sally Charlton BSc. (Hons)
April 2003

Every animal producer needs a disease monitoring and management program. These programs should be monitored with the practicing vet and might consider:

• Which diseases are present,
• Which ones can be minimized or prevented,
• How infections ones are identified and treated,
• What safeguards are in place to minimize disease spread
• Minimize the likelihood of public health problems.

Health problems and their prevention should be central to many of the daily management decisions.

Losses from ongoing infectious problems tend to be insidious. These losses can include treatment costs, reduced productivity and animal death.

Even with the best possible management, disease is a fact of life. We can manage animals as a herd, but disease ultimately shows in individual animals. Monitoring disease with a prompt and accurate diagnosis provides an important tool on disease management.

Disease is a direct function of exposure to causative agents in quantity to overpower defense mechanisms. It is easier and more cost effective to try and prevent disease situations than to cure them once they have become established. Decreasing exposure to disease is a primary method of decreasing disease.

Health costs rank second to feed costs in most facilities.

Common diseases that can also limit future productivity include:

• Salmonella*
• E.coli scours
• Septicemia
• Bloat
• Pneumonia
• Ringworm
• Coccidiosis
• Lice

*Disease can also infect humans.

Newborn/Young Animals are the must vulnerable animals on the farm to infection and disease. Some of these disease conditions can be transmitted through feeding practices.

Andre Roy MSc.
Sally Charlton BSc. (Hons)
April 2003