Feeding heat-treated colostrum reduces morbidity in preweaned dairy calves

Authors

  • S. M. Godden Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108
  • D. J. Smolenski Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
  • M. Donahue USDA, FSIS, Minneapolis District, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
  • J. M. Oakes Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455
  • S. Wells Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108
  • J. Fedrow Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20123936

Keywords:

batch pasteurizers, heat-treat bovine colostrum, immunoglobulin G, IgG, clinical trial, path analysis

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that batch pasteurizers can be used on farms to heat-treat bovine colostrum at 140QF (60QC) for 60 minutes, resulting in a significant reduction in bacterial exposure to the calf while maintaining overall colostral immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations. However, no studies have demonstrated that feeding heat-treated colostrum results in improved calf health.

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted using 1,071 newborn calves from six commercial dairy farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with the primary objective being to describe the effects of feeding heat-treated colostrum on serum immunoglobulin G concentration and health in the pre-weaning period. A secondary objective was to complete a path analysis to identify intermediate factors that may explain how feeding heat-treated colostrum reduced risk for illness.

Cover image of the 45th Conference Proceedings: Three black-and-white cows lounge in a spring field. Yellow background.

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Published

2012-09-20

Issue

2012

Section

Research Summaries 4

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