Giving calves ‘the best start’: Perceptions of colostrum management on dairy farms in England

Abstract

Good colostrum management can confer protective immunity to newborn calves, making calves less susceptible to infectious disease, and fundamentally improving both their short- and long-term health, welfare and productivity. Industry recommendations commonly refer to 'The Three 'Q's' of colostrum management: the need for calves to receive sufficient 'Quantity' of high 'Quality' colostrum 'Quickly' after birth; some also include 'sQueaky clean' and 'Quantification of passive transfer'. However, research to date suggests that the failure of passive transfer of colostral antibodies is common on commercial dairy farms, contributing to sub-optimal calf health and mortality. This paper explores why this may be the case by investigating stakeholder perceptions of colostrum management and how these perceptions might affect the practice of ensuring adequate colostrum administration to newborn calves. Calf rearing and youngstock management practices on English dairy farms were investigated using 40 in-depth semi-structured interviews: 26 with dairy farmers and 14 with advisors (including veterinarians, feed and pharmaceutical company representatives). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically coded for analysis. 'The Three 'Q's' were found to act as useful reminders about the goals of colostrum management, and a case can be made for further publicising the inclusion of 'sQueaky clean' and 'Quantification of passive transfer' as there remains a lack of focus on colostrum hygiene and measurement of successful antibody transfer. Knowledge of the 'Q's' did not guarantee implementation, and time and labour constraints alongside farmer misconceptions must be addressed when offering professional advice on improving calf health. Further research to encourage on-farm collection and analysis of monitoring data including rates of passive transfer is particularly needed. Advisors must not overlook the importance of colostrum management when assessing farm practices and ensure that they promote evidence-based recommendations if dairy calf morbidity and mortality is to be reduced.

Appropriate Dairy Calf Feeding from Birth to Weaning: “It’s an Investment for the Future”

“…This was sometimes due to pessimistic perceptions that hygiene was ineffectual in disease control, but management problems including uncleanliness have been shown to contribute to increased rates of diarrhoea [57,58]. Others believed sterilisation hindered the acquisition of immunity, similar to misunderstandings previously reported in areas of colostrum management [40] and biosecurity [37]. Indifference or negative attitudes towards ensuring good hygiene are problematic since sanitary feeding equipment and accommodation are critical to maintaining good calf health [18,56].…”

“…All interviews were conducted by the first author, a doctoral student who sought to investigate human influences on calf health and welfare regarding rearing practices from birth to first calving. Presented here are findings relating to calf feeding following the provision of colostrum, which has been addressed in a previous paper [40].…”

Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Influences on Neonatal Immunity, Growth and Puberty of Calves—A Review

“…These molecules accumulate in the mammary gland by crossing the alveolar epithelium and reaching concentrations 5–10 times higher than in maternal serum [ 6 , 52 ]. In bovine colostrum about 75 to 90% of the IgGs (40 to 200 mg/mL) is represented by IgG1 [ 3 , 6 , 56 , 57 ] which represents the principal colostrum antibody transferred via the enteric cell to the neonate serum [ 3 , 6 ]. Various studies indicate as benchmark for successful passive transfer of immunity IgG concentrations of ≥10 g/L, based on the fact that below this level, mortality rates in calves increase due to failure of passive transfer [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ].…”

“…In bovine colostrum about 75 to 90% of the IgGs (40 to 200 mg/mL) is represented by IgG1 [ 3 , 6 , 56 , 57 ] which represents the principal colostrum antibody transferred via the enteric cell to the neonate serum [ 3 , 6 ]. Various studies indicate as benchmark for successful passive transfer of immunity IgG concentrations of ≥10 g/L, based on the fact that below this level, mortality rates in calves increase due to failure of passive transfer [ 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. However, as reported in the recent study conducted by Lombard et al [ 59 ], the previously accepted IgG serum level of 10 g/L, is a way too simplistic benchmark to indicate transfer of passive immunity in calves.…”

Survey on Colostrum Management by Dairy Farmers in the Netherlands

“…To cover the needs of the newborn calf, many advisors and farmers have adopted the “Three Q's” strategy: Quickly, Quantity, Quality. Additionally, a fourth Q, “sQueaky clean” is sometimes added ( 11 ), further termed “cleanliness.” This strategy highlights the importance of timely feeding of an adequate amount of good quality colostrum with minimal bacterial contamination. Still, calf morbidity and mortality are important issues.…”