Feeding Focus: Transition diet linked to calf health

FEEDING FOCUS September 2016 • Issue 18

Transition diet linked to calf health Therefore, the transition diet is key in optimum production of colostrum both in terms of quality and quantity.

Timing is everything

Recent research from the UK and across Europe has shed new light on just how close the relationship is between the transition diet and subsequent colostrum yield and quality. Whilst we know nutrition in the transition phase is critical for improving milk production in the following lactation and minimising the risk of metabolic problems, this research demonstrated just how important the transition diet also is for maximising calf health and subsequent performance.

Timing is critical when it comes to good colostrum management, as the first milking of colostrum has over twice the grams of IgG per litre (g IgG/l) compared to the second milking, roughly 12 hours later, and the quality drops off dramatically again before the third milking. It is best to feed the calf within an hour of being born with three and a half to four litres of high quality colostrum for successful passive immunity to take place. Within 12 hours after birth calf intake needs to jump to five to six litres of high quality colostrum. Within 24 hours after birth, the calf needs seven to eight litres of colostrum.

The first part of study looked at the yield and quality of colostrum for all cows in the research project.

Figure 1 - Colostrum quality UK

The 2015 ForFarmers study using 1,900 cows and 1,500 calves in the UK, Germany and Netherlands, looked at three key areas:

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health of the calf The effect of the transition diet on the weight and growth of the calf.

Quality and quantity of colostrum Providing the calf with the right amount of high quality colostrum is crucial because, unlike humans, there is no transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig’s) anti-bodies through the placenta. The only way the new-born calf can get immunity is by passive transfer via the colostrum.

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• Colostrum yield and quality • The effect of the transition diet on the immunity and

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<30 30-50 50-100 >100 First colostrum quality (IgG in g/l)

By blood testing calves the research demonstrated the clear relationship between high levels of IgGs in first colostrum and high serum IgGs in the calf’s blood, demonstrating the connection between the two.

Figure 3 - Transition feeds in close-up diet increases immunity of calves AS

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Nearly 40% of the cows were producing less than the required three litres of colostrum at their first milking.

The study also revealed 20% of cows gave colostrum of poor quality (less than 50/g IgG/l), in their first milking.

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Transition cow nutrition

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The study also looked closely at transition cow nutrition focusing on crude protein (CP) levels in the close-up diet of the cows and what effect, if any, it had on the calf.

Calves from cows with less than 12% CP in the close-up diet were shown to have a higher risk of failure of passive transfer of IgG (calves were shown to have less than 10 mg/ml serum IgG), compared to those cows fed 12-14% CP and those fed more than 14%, see Figure 2.

Figure 2 - High Crude Protein in close-up diet increases immunity of calves <120

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The study also looked at the feeding of anionic salts and a calcium binder in the close-up diet and found they also increased the immunity of the calf, see Figure 3.

Unlock the growth potential Calves have a huge growth potential in the first four weeks of life. ForFarmers research showed a difference of 289g/ day in daily weight gain between calves in the bottom 50% of farms and the top 50% of farms, (545g/day on the lowest 50% and 834g/day on the highest).

Based on research studies, that 289 g/day difference in daily weight gain will be worth 448kg of milk production in the first lactation alone.

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10-15 15-20 Serum IgG (mg/ml)

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This is because nutrient supply influences the development of the calf during gestation. Maternal protein level, particularly in late gestation, influences the birth weight and small intestinal development of the calf. With an adequate level of CP content in the close-up diet (up to 14%) more calves have a high serum IgG and, therefore, higher immunity. Higher levels of CP in the diet were also found to be linked to a reduction in the cases of scouring amongst calves in the first two weeks of life, again another sign of improved immunity.

© ForFarmers 2016. All rights reserved

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A high growth potential can only be unlocked by a well developed and healthy calf with a fully functioning immune system.

The new-born calf can only receive immunity through high quality colostrum fed in the right amount at the right time.

Feed a transition diet that enhances production of quality and quantity of colostrum by increasing crude protein to 14% In the close up period, feed a diet which includes anionic salts or a calcium binder.

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