Feeding single dam colostrum is better for dairy calf welfare than pooled colostrum

The role of colostrum management in providing adequate immunological protection to neonatal calves as well as thresholds for colostrum quality, optimum volume and timing for colostrum feeding are known to be crucial for calf welfare. Little is known, however, on the effect of providing single dam or pooled colostrum, a common practice in Ireland, on passive immunity, and subsequent antibody survival in calves. We assessed the effect of feeding single dam colostrum (own and other dam) or pooled colostrum, on transfer of passive immunity, while also investigating the rate of depletion of disease specific antibodies among dairy calves. In total, 320 cows and 119 dairy heifer calves were enrolled. Calves were blood sampled immediately after birth and received either own dam, other dam or pooled colostrum. Calves were blood sampled again at 24 h to assess serum IgG concentrations and at monthly intervals thereafter to document disease specific antibody survival. Mean colostrum IgG concentration was higher for own and other dams compared to pooled (84.7 vs 80.9 mg/ ml, SEM 1.33 (P<0.01), but all exceeded the quality threshold of 50 mg/ml. Mean calf serum IgG concentration was higher for calves fed colostrum from a single dam compared to those which received pooled colostrum (44.9 vs 40.8 mg/ml, SEM 1.05; P<0.01). There was a negative association with 24 h serum IgG and calves birth bodyweight (P<0.05); calves <30 kg at birth had the highest 24 h serum IgG concentration (47.5 mg/ml). Survival of antibodies to BVD, Salmonella, Leptospirosis, PI3, BRSV, rotavirus and coronavirus was not associated with colostrum source, however, antibodies to IBR had a greater period of survival among calves fed other dam colostrum (P<0.05). We conclude that feeding single dam colostrum is better for calf welfare since it improves calf immunity through increased serum IgG levels and IBR antibody survival rates