Colostrum managment in newborn german calves

The mortality of calves during the first weeks of life is still 10-15 % worldwide. It is undisputed that more than 80 % of the calf losses can be traced back to farm- specific management problems. The two mentioned studies therefore analyzed the supply of Immunoglobulin of newborn calves during the past 10 years in Germany. In the years 2004-2005 and 2009-2013 1656 serum samples of calves could be analyzed. The results show that unchanged nearly 40 % of the calves are completely (failure of passive transfer, FPT, IgG-concentrations <5 mg/ml serum) or partly (partial failure of passive transfer pFPT, IgG-concentrations 5 9.9 mg/ml serum) undersupplied with IgG. There were no significant differences concerning gender The female animals, however, tended to have higher IgG-values than the male calves. Based on the results it can be shown that the IgG-concentrations in the serum of newborn calves increase with higher quantity of the colostrum administered with the first drinking. A further outcome is that all calves, independently of the mode of administration by bucket, drench or bottle, on average obtain a satisfactory supply of Immunoglobulin G. The method of forced drinking by drencher should therefore only be performed on single animals on veterinary advice. In conclusion there are still needs for clarification and action concerning the management of calf rearing.