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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

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HeadStart™ HiCal- Colostrum for Lambs

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• In the pre-lambing season it is worthwhile remembering the nutrition requirements of the ewe and the impact it can have on lamb viability and growth. Ewe nutrition needs increase significantly and accelerate rapidly, in the 4-6 weeks before lambing.
•  This is to support the rapidly growing fetus and encourage proper udder development for colostrum and milk production.
• 70% of lamb fetal growth occurs in the last 6 weeks, during which time rumen capacity and food intake are decreasing.
• If nutrient demands of the ewe are not met, not only can pregnancy toxemia/ twin lamb disease occur but also lamb growth and survival will be compromised. Ensure adequate nutrient intake for strong, vigorous lambs of moderate birth-weight.

Why is it important?

1. Reduced fetal growth in pre-lambing period results in lower birth weight lambs:

• Average daily gain tends to be greater in higher birth-weight lambs when provided ad-libitum access to feed- (Greenwood et al, J.Ani Sci 1998)
• Low birth-weight newborns tend to have poor energy utilization and can have more fat than larger lambs.
• Low birth-weight lambs have less resistance to cold, so they are at greater risk of hypothermia (a combination of chilling and starvation)

2. Poor ewe nutrition may result in reduced brown fat reserves in the lamb: 

• Brown fat and colostrum help the newborn lamb maintain heat.

3. Poor ewe condition (underfeeding) reduces colostrum and milk production:

• Insufficient quality and quantity of colostrum and milk will put lamb at risk for hypothermia and disease.

4. Poor ewe nutrition can reduce mineral and vitamin levels in the lamb:

Examples of mineral and vitamin deficiency consequences: 

• Selenium (Se): Newborn lambs born are susceptible to white muscle disease, ‘stiff lamb disease’, from birth to 3 weeks old. Low Se affects response to hypothermia, as it is a component of the mechanism that releases heat from brown adipose tissue. Dietary Se levels are reflected in colostrum, milk and lamb plasma levels (placental transfer).
• Vitamin E: is unable to cross the placental barrier and so the newborn is reliant on levels from ewe milk, milk replacer or injection. Dietary vitamin E levels are reflected in colostrum and milk but can be variable. Vitamin E and Se have a sparing effect on each other and are important in disease resistance.
• Iodine (I): Results in goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), stillborn lambs with very little wool or lambs have low viability. Iodine freely passes the placental barrier.
• Cobalt (Co): impairs milk production and lambs from these ewes tend to have less vigor, be slower to stand and start suckling.
• Copper (Cu): Lambs from low copper status ewes are more susceptible to ‘swayback’, muscular incoordination, partial paralysis of the hind quarters. Lambs are born weak and may die form inability to nurse. Can show in newborns or can be delayed for weeks or months.
• Manganese (Mn): newborn lambs lack coordination from bone abnormalities
• Vitamin A: (winter feeding with little green forage) – lambs are weak, malformed or dead and have night blindness.

Ewe preparation advice:

• Observe lambing dates. The ewe’s gestation period is from 144 to 151 days, with an average of 147 days.
• Observe ewe body condition. The ideal body condition score, 8 weeks before lambing, is 2.5-3.5 (lowland ewes), 2-3 (hill/upland ewes).
• Ultrasound scanning for number of fetuses, between 50 -90 days of pregnancy, helps group ewes and feed accordingly.
• Analyze forage quality so that a ration can be formulated for optimum performance. Feed good quality forage to maximize food intake.
• Match feed supply to requirements of ewe and number of fetuses from 6 weeks pre-lambing. Feed requirements for energy, protein, minerals and vitamins will depend on forage quality, availability and environmental conditions.
• Feeding a high-energy supplement helps counter reduced rumen capacity and food intake.
• Cold temperatures will increase energy requirements.
• Fetal growth accelerates rapidly during late gestation. Energy required is much higher for the two weeks pre-lambing versus six weeks pre-lambing.
• Have lambing equipment ready, including clean feeding bottles, teats and high quality milk or milk replacer.