Colostrum Management for Dairy Calves

Abstract

Colostrum management is the single most important management factor in determining calf health and survival. Additional benefits of good colostrum management include improved rate of gain and future productivity. Successful colostrum management requires producers to provide calves with a sufficient volume of clean, high-quality colostrum within the first few hours of life. This article reviews the process of colostrogenesis and colostrum composition, and discusses key components in developing a successful colostrum management program. In addition, the article discusses approaches for monitoring and proposes new goals for passive immunity in dairy herds.

Keywords: Calf; Colostrum management; Monitoring; Passive immunity.

Fig. 1

Nondiseased probability for preweaned heifer calves by days of age and serum IgG concentration categories. Corresponding with serum IgG levels of greater than or equal to 25.0 g/L, 18.0 to 24.9 g/L, 10 to 17.9 g/L, and less than 10.0 g/L were serum total protein categories of greater than or equal to 6.2 g/dL, 5.8 to 6.1 g/dL, 5.1 to 5.7 g/dL, and less than 5.1 g/dL, and Brix score categories of greater than or equal to 9.4%, 8.9% to 9.3%, 8.1% to 8.8%, and less than 8.1%, respectively.