Passive immunity is the only source of early immunity for calves due to the inability of the bovine placenta to transmit maternal immunoglobulins to the fetus. Hence, consuming colostrum is vital for calves during the first hours of life . The immune status of calves during the preweaning period depends directly on the quality and quantity of colostrum ingested during the first hours of life. Newborn dairy calves rely on timely ingestion of high-quality colostrum with low bacterial contamination to transfer passive immunity (TPI) as well as nutrients and other bioactive components. Poor TPI in calves has been associated with lower ADG, a greater risk for preweaning morbidity and mortality, and a lower likelihood to reach first insemination and calving.
Further, colostrum intake aids in the development of the gastrointestinal tract and has been shown to positively affect first-lactation milk production. As such, it is recommended to feed calves (10% to 12% of BW) of high quality (≥50 g of IgG/L; ≥22.0% Brix) colostrum with low bacterial contamination. A growing number of producers have also implemented an extended colostrum or transition milk feeding program to promote preweaning health and growth. Thus, an adequate supply of high-quality colostrum is a critical component for the viability of commercial dairy farms.
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