Colostrum management for dairy calves.
Colostrum management is the single most important management factor in determining calf health and survival. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of North American dairy calves suffer from failure of passive transfer of antibodies from colostrum, contributing to excessively high preweaning mortality rates and other short- and long-term losses associated with animal health, welfare, and productivity. A successful colostrum management program requires producers to consistently 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 discusses important components of colostrum. The key components of delivering and monitoring a successful colostrum management program are discussed.
Godden
Sandra
S
Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 225 VMC, 1365 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA. godde002@umn.edu
D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology*; D003126:Colostrum / Q000276:immunology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007116:Immunization, Passive / Q000662:veterinary*; D041941:Milk Substitutes / Q000008:administration & dosage