Low colostrum yield in Jersey cattle and potential risk factors

Abstract

Consumption of an adequate volume of high-quality colostrum is vital to a dairy calf's ability to survive and become a productive herd member. However, some dairy herds have reported a deficiency of colostrum production, which ranges from a low volume to no colostrum produced, by cows during fall and winter. Little information regarding this phenomenon exists. The purpose of this study was to characterize the syndrome and identify potential risk factors for low colostrum yield. A 2,500-cow Jersey dairy farm was enrolled in a prospective cohort study in May 2016, to evaluate possible effects of photoperiod, temperature, and cow factors on colostrum production. Dairy personnel were trained to collect, weigh, and evaluate colostrum quality. Information on parity, previous lactation length, previous 305-d mature-equivalent milk production, and dry period length were collected through the farm's dairy management software. Weather and photoperiod data were also collected. Over the year of enrollment, 2,988 eligible cows calved and had colostrum weights recorded and 38% were primiparous (n = 1,143), 25% were in their second lactation (n = 752), and 37% were in their third or greater lactation (n = 1,093). The overall average colostrum yield was 6.6 kg/cow in June 2016, 2.5 kg/cow in December 2016, and 4.8 kg/cow in May 2017. Multiparous cows had a larger decline in colostrum production between June and December (6.6 to 1.3 kg/cow) compared with primiparous animals (6.5 to 4.2 kg/cow). Overall, average colostrum production decreased by 0.17 kg/cow per week during this time, 0.22 kg for multiparous cows and 0.08 kg for primiparous cows. A logistic regression model was constructed for all cows to evaluate effects of cow factors on low colostrum production (<2.7 kg at first milking). Dry period length, calf sex, singleton or twin, age at freshening, month of calving and previous lactation length were significantly associated with the probability of low colostrum yield (<2.7 kg at first milking). A cross-correlation function analysis between the time series for colostrum yield and photoperiod revealed a high correlation at the time of calving and 1 mo prior, particularly for multiparous cows. A pedigree analysis showed that extreme colostrum yield (low vs. high) followed some sire lines. Low colostrum production in this herd could have an economic effect on the dairy and calf health and appears to have a strong seasonal and, potentially, a genetic component.

Colostrum Management for Dairy Calves

“…In a year-long study of a 2500-cow Jersey dairy in Texas, colostrum yield was highest in June but declined during the fall and winter months. 59 A low-temperature humidity index and a shortened photoperiod 1 month before and at calving were both highly correlated with reduced colostrum yield. The investigators hypothesized that shortened photoperiod may reduce colostrum production because of its impact on melatonin and prolactin, hormones known to be involved with colostrogenesis.…”

“…60 Producers should adopt heat-abatement strategies for prepartum cows and heifers and are advised to bank frozen colostrum to meet needs during low colostrum production months. 59…”

“…65 Furthermore, cows with shorter dry periods produce lower yields of colostrum. 59,66 One controlled field study reported cows with a short (40-day) dry period produced 2.2 kg less colostrum than did cows with a conventional (60-day) dry period. 67…”

Nutrition and feeding of dairy cattle

“…Recently, it has been observed that the Jersey breed will produce very little colostrum during the winter months in the northern hemisphere. 8 The effect was observed more for cows with greater than one parity and appears to be correlated with photoperiod (day-length).…”

Alimentación: factor estratégico durante la crianza artificial de terneros provenientes de lecherías

“…En cuanto al estado nutricional de la vaca en el periodo pre-parto, no se ha hallado relación entre las restricciones nutricionales y algún efecto negativo sobre el calostro, puesto que, en dietas que no excedían los requerimientos energéticos de las vacas, se hallaron mayores concentraciones de inmunoglobulinas que en dietas con exceso de energía y no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la producción de calostro entre ambos casos (Mann et al, 2016). En lo que respecta a la duración del periodo seco y el volumen producido en la primera lactancia, se reporta que entre más corto sea el periodo seco, más baja puede ser la producción de calostro (Gavin et al, 2018).…”