Colostrum Management

The newborn calf has a naïve immune system and depends on the feeding of adequate amounts of colostrum. When calves do not consume enough colostrum during the first 12 hours of life - or they consume low colostrum quality, it can lead to a condition called failure of passive transfer (FPT), which makes calves more susceptible to diseases during calfhood.

Biggest risk for FPT: Dystocia, or difficult birth.

Calves may have low vigor after a long calving. Check the suckle reflex by inserting a finger into the calf’s mouth and feel the strength with which the calf suckles. If a calf does not have a good strong suckle reflex 10 minutes after it is born, it will likely need help with colostrum uptake.

A decision tree outlines when to intervene if calves are not seen suckling their dam after birth. Click on the link below for a printer-friendly version.

> When to Intervene: Ensuring Colostrum Consumption After Calving (UC ANR resource)

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Try these options to get a calf its colostrum:

  • Guide the calf to the dam and encourage it to nurse from her udder.
    • Convenient if cow is still in chute after pulling the calf.

If unsuccessful:

  • Feed a commercial colostrum replacer with at least 150 g of IgG as stated on the package.
    • Calves need 200 – 300 g of total IgG – calves may need a second feeding before they are 12 hours old if they aren’t seen drinking from the dam after the first feeding.
    • Try a nipple bottle first – if the calf refuses or takes too long.
    • Use an esophageal feeder.

 

UC ANR YouTube video on the proper use of an esophageal feeder in calves:

Important for using an esophageal tube feeder:

  • Keep the calf’s head in a neutral position rather than letting it stretch its heads up.
    • The tube is less likely inserted into the windpipe which would drown the calf.
    • Feel the neck to ensure the rigid tube can be felt. To learn more on esophageal tube feeding: 

To learn more on FPT and esophageal tube feeding:

>Using an Esophageal Tube for colostrum feeding (UC ANR resource:)

Download the factsheet on failure of passive transfer: >Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT): Strategies for Management (UC ANR resource)

Watch a UC ANR webinar on Neonatal Calf Health:

 

Additional resources available on the web:

Website on how to avoid FPT*

Website on ways to prevent dystocia and what to do during a difficult calving** ..

Article on Expected Progeny Differences***.. A favorable Calving Ease Direct score in bulls serving heifers can reduce the rate of dystocia.

*from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in the UK.

**from Iowa State Unversity’s Iowa Beef Center

***from the University of Nebraska