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CATTLE COUNTRY March 2020
Quality colostrum key to successful calving season DR. TANYA ANDERSON, DVM
The Vet Corner
The requirement for the development of a VCPR (Vet Client Patient Relationship) has resulted in very positive discussions between veterinarians and their clients as they work together to improve herd health through better management rather than relying on drugs. Today’s topic is about the oldest “drug” available for the newborn calf – colostrum, something that requires review for clients every year prior to calving season. Calves are born with virtually no protection against disease and rely on rapid efficient absorption of their dam’s colostrum to ensure their survival. Recent research continues to find out just how invaluable colostrum is for the survival of the newborn calf.
Colostrum isn’t just a source of antibodies. The high fat provides a sustained energy source while an abundance of hormones and growth factors stimulate appetite and ensure growth by promoting sugar and amino acid uptake. Still other hormones promote the development of the reproductive system and enhance immunity to disease. Each mL of colostrum contains over 10 million white blood cells which teach the calf ’s immune system how to work. This perinatal programming is maximized with adequate colostrum consumption. Unfortunately a study of well-managed Western Canadian beef herds indicated that 30% of calves do not receive enough colostrum. The calves most at risk were those born to heifers, twins, or those follow-
ing a difficult or prolonged birth. Breed factors also play a role with calving ease and time to stand and nurse post-calving. Vigour at birth is largely influenced by the bull genetics. If your calves are slow at birth, look at changing your bull battery. Quality colostrum starts with quality cow care. Thin cows or those that are malnourished produce poorer quality and lower quantities of colostrum. Good nutrition including a trace mineral and vitamin program ensures that high levels of immunoglobulins, fats and hormones are available for colostrum production. Scour vaccines should be administered according to label recommendations to ensure that there is adequate time for the cow to mount an immune response and direct those antibodies into the colostrum. Keep in mind that the final week before calving is when colostrum
volume accumulates. The antibodies have largely already been deposited in the udder so cows that calve a week early should still have adequate colostrum available for the calf. Levels can be measured using a BRIX refractometer or supplementation can be provided to ensure adequate protection. Beware that supplementation can create a sense of false security. Calves absorb their own dam’s colostrum better than that of others. If the calf is orphaned or its mother’s colostrum is inadequate, the next best option would be from an older cow in the same herd. Herd mates have had similar disease exposures and have protection against the pathogens on the premise. Quality commercial powdered colostrum supplements such as Head Start or Calf ’s Choice would be a third choice. Fresh is definitely the best as freezing,
drying and pasteurization destroys >85% of the white blood cells that are critical in helping develop the calf ’s own immune system. Dairy colostrum is the least ideal due to the dilution of antibody levels (higher volume) and disease risks from unpasteurized milk. Timing of colostrum administration is critical. The first six hours are optimal for absorption as the calf ’s ability to absorb colostrum begins to lessen more rapidly by 12 hours with a marked decrease in absorption by 18 hours of age. Assist calves early and if in doubt, fully milk the cow (all four quarters) and tube the calf with the whole volume. Partial milking means that the next feed will be a mix of colostrum and milk as the udder begins milk production. Recent research has also determined that if a cow is not nursed within several hours of giving birth, she will start to resorb the
immunoglobulin in her colostrum - 3-4% loss per hour. Early intervention is critical. Calves that get sick at under six weeks of age almost always did not receive enough colostrum. Calves treated at <3 months of age are 2.5x more likely to die before reaching maturity and will have a decreased growth weight pre-weaning. Heifers are 2.4x more likely to have calving difficulty and to calve later. If you experience high sickness amongst your young calves, talk to your veterinarian about colostrum management and test calves to ensure that their antibody levels are adequate. Remember to look after your cow this calving season and ensure calves mother up early. No drug or management tool comes close to outperforming colostrum. Program your calves to not only survive but to thrive.
LIMOUSIN THE NATURAL GENETIC ADVANTAGE FROM BIRTH TO PLATE
ATTENTION PRODUCERS Amaglen Limousin 204-246-2576 / 204-823-2286 View bulls & Females for sale online at www. amaglenlimousin.ca Campbell Land & Cattle 204-776-2322 Email: cam.limousin@gmail.com Bulls & Females for sale by Private Treaty on the farm Cherway Limousin 204-736-2878 View Bulls & females for sale online www.cherwaylimousin.ca Diamond T Limousin 204-838-2019 / 204-851-0809 (Cell) Email: diamondtlimo@gmail.com 2yr old & yearling bulls for sale by Private Treaty on the farm Hockridge Farms 204-648-6333 Brad/ 204-648-5222 Glen www.hockridgefarms.ca Bulls for sale on farm.
Jaymarandy Limousin 204-937-0828 Email: ne262527@gmail.com Bulls for sale at the farm Todd Jay-Dean Angus Jules Smyth L&S Limousin Acres 204-838-2198 Bulls sell March 28 at Douglas Bull Test Maplehurst Farms 204-274-2490 Bob Bulls for sale on farm &at Douglas Bull Test Station
Year after year, we buy Limousin bulls because they give us great calves that we get a premium for. Raising superior calves is why we farm.” Craig and Lorna Marr 250 Head Cow/Calf 2013 MB COMMERCIAL
Silver Ridge, MB BREEDER OF THE YEAR
We use quiet Limousin bulls for the big beefy calves with great hair and hip. They have been our terminal cross for over 20 years and the calves are vigorous at birth, do well in the feedlot, and have great carcass yield. Gord Kozroski 500 Head Black Cow Herd Gull Lake, SK 2013 SK COMMERCIAL
BREEDER OF THE YEAR
Park Performance Limousin Rick 701 340-2517 2 yr old Bulls available by Private Treaty Calves for Sale Fall of 2020 Triple R Limousin 204-685-2628 / 204-856-2440 Email: triplerlimo@yahoo.ca Bulls for sale at the farm. 40 Limousin and Limousin/Angus, 2-yr olds and yearlings
Marketing Limousin influence calves this fall? List them on our website and contact the CLA for marketing assistance!
Using Limousin bulls on our black cows gave us calving ease and a cross breeding advantage. Our ranch was able to sell market topping 1000 pound grass yearlings in late July.
www.mbbeef.ca
Connor Brothers Hannah, AB
700 Head Cow Herd
CANADIAN LIMOUSIN
~ ASSOCIATION ~ #13, 4101-19 STREET NE CALGARY, AB T2E 7C4 PHONE 1. 403.253.7309 TOLL-FREE 1.866.886.1605 FAX 1.403.253.1704 EMAIL limousin@limousin.com WEB www.limousin.com Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/ManitobaLimousin-Association/572198599475105