FALL 2024
Strengthening immune systems amid seasonal challenges Emily Middleton-Gyomory, Regional Consulting Manager
chool is in session and kids are already bringing home the first round of fall colds. Similarly, fall is a challenging time for calf health for both dairy and beef producers. Adding pressure to this challenge is the high value of replacements whether they are dairy, beef, or beef x dairy. It is critical to get these valuable replacements off to a good start. Calves need a strong immune system to fight off illness. Feeding enough high-quality colostrum is critical to building that immunity. Colostrum quantity, however, can be a challenge during fall and winter months. The industry doesn’t fully understand why, but some research has pointed to the shorter daylight in fall and winter. Dry-cow-management-and-nutrition solutions are inconclusive, so the general recommendation is to bank highquality colostrum or use colostrum replacer. In a 2021 study by Rossi et al., in Michigan, calves that received a second colostrum feeding had better growth rates pre-weaning, were less likely to be treated for an illness, and tended to produce more milk in their first lactation. Michigan State University Extension recommends a second meal of colostrum six to 12 hours after the first feeding, at a volume of two to three quarts. Given the benefits of a second colostrum feeding and the challenges of getting enough colostrum
in the fall and winter, colostrum replacer may be a viable option to get calves off to a good start. Falling temperatures and damp weather increases the risk of respiratory illnesses in the fall and winter. Dairy calves born in the Continued on page 2.
Percent absorption of antibodies by hour after birth 80 60 percent
S
40 20 0
6
12
24
36
48
hours Efficiency of absorption declines from birth, particularly after 12 hours. Feeding may induce earlier closure, but there is little colostral absorption after 24 hours of age even if the calf is starved. This principle for timing of colostrum feeding holds true whether the colostrum is directly from the first milk of the dam or supplied by hand feeding the baby calf previously obtained colostrum.2
Enhancing producer profitability through integrated services.
1