Survey on Colostrum Management by Dairy Farmers in the Netherlands

Abstract

Colostrum feeding is essential for the transfer of passive immunity and health of newborn calves. Information on current colostrum management practices to reduce calf morbidity and mortality is important but lacking for Dutch dairy herds. We therefore conducted a survey to investigate colostrum management strategies on Dutch dairy farms. The survey was specifically focused on the most recently born calf and was returned by 107 respondents (response rate of 13.4%). The mean amount of colostrum fed at first feeding was 2.9 liters. Overall, 79% of farmers provided the calf with at least 6 liters of colostrum in up to three feedings. The majority of respondents (84%) claimed to provide the calf with colostrum for the first time within 2 h post-partum. Using ordinal logistic regression and Wilcoxon rank sum test, we found no differences in time to first colostrum feeding or total amount of colostrum fed between bull calves and heifer calves, respectively. Ordinal logistic regression showed no significant differences in time to first colostrum feeding or time between calving and removing the calf from the dam between AMS and conventional milking herds. Two sample T-test comparing the total volume of colostrum showed no significant difference between AMS and conventional milking herds. Time of day at which a calf was born affected both volume fed at first colostrum feeding and time until first colostrum feeding. Calves born between 00.00 and 06.00 were significantly at risk of receiving the first colostrum later as compared to calves born at other times. Calves born in the evening received on average a lower amount of colostrum at first feeding. Survey results on colostrum management on most Dutch dairy farms are in agreement with the advice to feed as soon as possible after parturition and to provide at least 6 liters within 24 h of age. The current study points at time of calving as a potential risk factor for sub-optimal colostrum feeding. Further research is necessary to determine the consequences of this observation.

Assessment of Herd, Calf, and Colostrum Management Practices on Austrian Dairy Farms Using a Scoring System

“…The study described calf management practices, estimated differences in disease incidences on Austrian dairy farms depending on the farm structure (small farms ≤ 20 cows versus large farms > 20 cows), and different management practices [18]. Investigations carried out in countries such as the Netherlands [27], Brazil [28], Canada [29], and the USA [30] are only partially comparable to studies conducted in Austria since the farm structure is significantly different. In the aforementioned studies, the average number of cattle per farm is significantly higher, with more than 50 to 100 dairy cows per farm.…”

Dairy cattle replacement under changing agri-environmental policies

“…Moreover, by referring to these recent cases, we avoided socially desirable answers to questions regarding culling reasons. This method was the same as the method employed by Robbers et al (2021) to study colostrum management of Dutch dairy farmers. In addition to the most recently culled cows, we asked about the most and least frequent culling reasons on the farm to detect if the recent events were in line with the general situation.…”

“…I limited the social desirability bias of responses by asking about the latest instance such as culling reasons for the most recently culled cow. This strategy was previously employed by Robbers et al (2021). I paired these questions with general questions about the most and least frequent reasons for culling to get the specific as well as the general picture.…”

Welfare implications of prolonged cow-calf contact in dairy farming

“…One crucial aspect in calf management is timely provision of adequate amounts of high quality colostrum to provide the young calf with immunologic protection in the first weeks of life (Barrington et al, 2002), which can be at risk when care of new-born calves is not prioritized. On most dairy farms calves are fed colostrum by bottle to guarantee sufficient colostrum intake, although a recent survey among Dutch dairy farmers revealed that 50 % of calves born during nighttime risk delayed colostrum administration (Robbers et al, 2021).…”