Performance of calves fed fresh colostrum from their dams, compared with that of calves fed colostrum from cows other than their dams

Abstract

Adequate colostrum feeding is the most important management factor determining calf health and survival. Colostrum not only provides immunoglobulins, but it is also an important source of nutrients and nonspecific immune factors, including maternal leukocytes and cytokine proteins, all of which protect the newborn calf against infectious diseases early in life. Considering the potential role of these non-immunoglobulin factors, our hypothesis was that dairy calves fed fresh colostrum from their dams would perform better than those fed colostrum from cows other than their dams that had been stored cold and had a preservative added. The objective was to assess performance (growth and survival) of calves fed fresh colostrum from their dams, compared with that of calves fed colostrum from cows other than their dams that had been treated with a potassium sorbate preservative and stored refrigerated (up to 48 hours) or frozen.