Impact of 2 Versus 1 Colostrum Meals on Failure of Transfer of Passive Immunity, Pre-Weaning Morbidity and Mortality, and Performance of Dairy Calves in a Large Dairy Herd

Simple Summary This retrospective study of records from a dairy farm explored the impact of receiving a second feeding of colostrum 5-6 h after an initial meal of 3 L of quality-tested colostrum on calf health and productivity until the first lactation. Calves that received a second feeding were less likely to develop failure of transfer of passive immunity or morbidity pre-weaning than calves only receiving one feeding. Similarly, calves receiving a second feeding showed a greater growth rate until weaning and tended to produce more milk in the first lactation. However, receiving a second feeding was not associated with differences in pre-weaning mortality or reproductive efficiency. Our results show that feeding calves a second meal of colostrum within the first few hours of life has a positive impact on calf health and might have positive effects into the first lactation. Failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) due to inadequate ingestion of colostral immunoglobulins by calves is associated with increased mortality and morbidity risks. Feeding calves a sufficient amount of quality-tested colostrum within the first hours of life is essential for successfully transferring passive immunity. Many farms have implemented a second meal of colostrum to maximize the opportunities for passive immunity transfer. However, excellent passive immunity can be achieved with a single feeding of sufficient quality-tested colostrum. Moreover, there is currently no evidence demonstrating the impact of a second colostrum feeding within 24 h of life in calves receiving adequate volumes of quality-tested colostrum in an initial feeding. Hence, the objective of this retrospective cohort study was to compare the risks of FPTI, pre-weaning morbidity and mortality, and growth and performance between dairy calves that received one or two feedings of colostrum. For this, the health and production records of a large dairy herd were analyzed. At this farm, newborn calves receive 3 L of quality-tested colostrum soon after birth, followed by another 2 L 5-6 h later. However, at times of shortages of colostrum, calves only receive the initial 3 L meal. The records of 2064 male and 2272 female calves were analyzed, where 4156 and 180 calves received 2 and 1 colostrum meals, respectively. Data from both sexes were included in the analysis of the risks of FTPI, morbidity, and mortality; however, only data from heifer calves were utilized for growth and performance analysis. Survival analysis, and logistic and linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of receiving two feedings of colostrum on calf FTPI status, morbidity, mortality, reproductive indices, pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG), and first lactation 305-d Mature Equivalent milk production (305ME). Calves that received two feedings of colostrum had lower odds of FTPI, a lower probability of being treated for respiratory disease, diarrhea, or any disease, and a greater pre-weaning ADG. However, there was no association between the number of colostrum feedings and pre-weaning mortality, and the probabilities of first insemination and first calving, although heifers receiving two colostrum feedings tended to receive fewer inseminations and to have a greater first lactation 305ME. Collectively, our results suggest that feeding calves a second feeding of colostrum 5-6 h after the initial feeding soon after birth could be an effective strategy to decrease FTPI and morbidity and optimize ADG in dairy calves pre-weaning.

Automated summary

The study suggests that providing calves with a second feeding of colostrum within 5-6 hours of birth has positive effects on calf health, reducing the risk of failure of transfer of passive immunity and morbidity, and optimizing pre-weaning average daily gain. However, there is no significant impact on pre-weaning mortality and reproductive efficiency.