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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

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Calf’s Choice Total

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Striking a partnership with the Grober team are: (from L-R) Piet Zeeman, Yves Barbet, Pascal Bouilly (kneeling), Jerry Bartelse (President), Heather Copland (Marketing & Communications Manager), Jordon Underhill of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (kneeling), André Roy (Director of Technical Services), Grant Gould (Director of Sales), Jurian Bartelse, and Doug Wagner of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.WOODSTOCK, ON – “This is a unique opportunity to springboard to the next level in the study and care of young animals,” said Heather Copland at the official announcement of Grober Nutrition’s plan to establish a Young Animal Development Centre on the grounds of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show at Woodstock, ON.

Copland, Grober’s Marketing Manager said the new centre will both complement and expand the company’s more than 30 years of experience in improving the growth and nutrition parameters for young animals.

“Partnering with Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show permits us to showcase the feeding programs and the housing systems that are so important to the health and growth of young animals,” she said.

The multi-year agreement between Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show and Grober Nutrition was described by Jordon Underhill, the Show’s General Manager, as “another step in the evolution of our Show and our commitment to be at the forefront of ag technology whether it be crops, livestock or machinery.” Underhill said the Young Animal Development Centre will provide livestock producers with an opportunity to see the practical application of world-leading innovation in the feeding and handling of young stock.

At the 2008 Show, attendees will be able to view the pre-existing structure and conceptual layout of the Grober Centre. Beginning in 2009, with all renovations completed, visitors to Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show will see feeding and housing trials in progress as well as results from previous groups of young animals reared in the facility.

The Young Animal Development Centre will enable Grober Nutrition to expand its development of milk replacers and other young animal nutrition products for the livestock industry.

“With this additional space, we look forward to doing more work with dairy goats and milking sheep, as well as our industry-recognized milk replacers for dairy calves,” said Andre Roy, Director of Technical Services at Grober. Roy said there will be two sets of trials for young stock in the barn each year – the first group to enter the facility in early spring and move out by mid-summer; the second group to follow in the summer and finish by mid-fall.

Grober Nutrition anticipates developing partnerships with other industry stakeholders as part of the feeding and housing trials planned for the new facility. “The Young Animal Development Centre brings a new opportunity for partnerships with universities, as well as nutrition and equipment suppliers,” said Grant Gould, Grober’s Director of Sales. “We intend to look for partners,” he said, noting that Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show and the new Centre are located in the heart of Ontario’s dairy industry. “The spring to fall operation of the barn will provide opportunities for co-op students and researchers as we develop products and programs focused on the health and care of young animals,” Gould stated.

Representatives from Grober Nutrition, which is headquartered in Cambridge, will be available to answer questions in the new Cover-All facility from September 9th to 11th.

Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show will be held September 9, 10 & 11, 2008 at Canada’s Outdoor Park in Woodstock, ON. Visit www.CanadasOutdoorPark.com for details.