Effect of neonatal immunoglobulin status on the outcomes of spring‐born suckler calves

Abstract

Background: Successfully rearing beef calves to weaning and beyond determines the economic performance of a beef farm. As such, it is important to understand the factors influencing performance outcomes. Methods: This study recorded the health events, mortality and growth rates of 674 calves born on 50 commercial beef farms in Great Britain using a postsampling questionnaire. All calves had a known postcolostral serum IgG status.Results: Preweaning mortality in the study population was 1.5% (10/674 calves), while the treatment rate was 6.4% (43/674 calves). Serum IgG, calf sex and dystocia were significant predictors of whether a calf died and/or required treatment. Average daily liveweight gain was calculated for calves where weaning weights were provided (n = 513). Serum IgG and calf sex were consistent predictors of calf growth rates, while birthweight and whether the calf was born to a cow or heifer were predictive in a model where average daily liveweight gain was converted to a binary response variable using the mean average daily liveweight gain on the calf's farm of origin. Limitations: Morbidity and mortality were lower than comparable studies, potentially due to limitations in the study design. Conclusion: Serum IgG and calf sex were significant explanatory variables that affected beef calf average daily liveweight gain. For every 5 g/L increase in serum IgG, the odds ratio of dying and/or requiring treatment decreased by 0.86.

Effects of different combinations of antibacterial compound supplements in calf pellets on growth performance, health, blood parameters, and rumen microbiome of dairy calves

“…IgA, IgM, and IgG are secreted by plasma cells and are the main immunoglobulins in animals that resist germ infections and diseases. The concentration of immunoglobulins in the serum directly reflects the strength of calf immunity ( 34 , 35 ). IL-6 and TNF-α secreted by monocyte macrophages and Th1 cells are direct mediators of stress injury and promote inflammation ( 36 ).…”

Optimising colostrum management has long‐term health and productivity benefits in beef herds

“…calving suckler herds. 10 It was found that a calf's sex, serum IgG concentration and whether it was born to a primiparous dam were all significant predictors of whether it would grow above the mean DLWG. Meanwhile, the level of feeding assistance required, the dam's body condition and the calf's breed were not significant predictors for DLWG.…”

“…While this may appear to overcomplicate a system that already works, heifers with a serum IgG concentration of 25g/l or more have been demonstrated to have lower preweaning mortality and morbidity than those with a concentration of less than 25g/l. 14 This need for a multitiered approach to FPT classification is further supported by Bragg and colleagues' study, 10 which found that for every 5 g/l increase in serum IgG, the odds of a calf dying or requiring treatment were decreased by 0.86. However, the number of calves that died (n=10) or required treatment (n=43) was small, necessitating the combination of the two variables.…”

“…Perfection is unlikely to be achievable, but there are still many easy wins that we can turn into opportunities on suckler farms. For example, a study published in 2020 highlighted that the odds of FPT increased if the calf was born to a dam that required assistance during calving, needed assistance with colostrum feeding, was a twin, was male or was born to a primiparous dam 6 . Applying these findings on‐farm may help us identify at‐risk calves that may require additional support.…”

“…The prevalence of FPT in both dairy and beef suckler calves in the UK has been reported to be between 15 per cent and 25 per cent, 4–6 although there is wide variation between individual farms. Moreover, a recent study of suckler farms in the UK reported that, on 62 of the 84 farms surveyed, at least one calf (out of 15 tested) had serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations below 10 g/l 6 . As such, colostrum management represents a massive health and welfare opportunity for farmers and veterinarians.…”