Promoting higher levels of immunity from colostrum among calves on organic dairy farms
Abstract: Colostrum feeding provides immunoglobulins, in a process called transfer of passive immunity, which is critical for dairy calf health and welfare. However, failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) occurs in about 12% of calves nationwide. This study compares the prevalence of FTPI be...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
2024-06-01
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| Series: | California Agriculture |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3733/001c.120614 |
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| author | Munashe Chigerwe Hannah M. Laurence Maire C. Rayburn Betsy M. Karle |
| author_facet | Munashe Chigerwe Hannah M. Laurence Maire C. Rayburn Betsy M. Karle |
| author_sort | Munashe Chigerwe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract: Colostrum feeding provides immunoglobulins, in a process called transfer of passive immunity, which is critical for dairy calf health and welfare. However, failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) occurs in about 12% of calves nationwide. This study compares the prevalence of FTPI between calves raised on organic and conventional dairy farms, describes the colostral management practices on organic dairy farms in California, and recommends improvements. We compared serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations between calves raised on organic and conventional dairies and found that the odds of FTPI in calves raised in organic dairies were 2.5 times greater than in calves raised in conventional dairies. Focusing on varied practices in organic dairies, FTPI was 2.9 times more likely in calves fed less than 4 liters of colostrum within the first 24 hours, compared to calves fed more than that amount. We also found that organic dairy producers did not routinely monitor colostral IgG concentrations and passive immunity status. We recommend that organic dairy farmers adopt these practices to decrease the prevalence of FTPI in calves. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1fe5edc8843d4798a06c8aaa831535ee |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0008-0845 2160-8091 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-06-01 |
| publisher | University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources |
| record_format | Article |
| series | California Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj-art-1fe5edc8843d4798a06c8aaa831535ee2025-01-28T22:11:31ZengUniversity of California Agriculture and Natural ResourcesCalifornia Agriculture0008-08452160-80912024-06-01783-4Promoting higher levels of immunity from colostrum among calves on organic dairy farmsMunashe ChigerweHannah M. LaurenceMaire C. RayburnBetsy M. KarleAbstract: Colostrum feeding provides immunoglobulins, in a process called transfer of passive immunity, which is critical for dairy calf health and welfare. However, failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) occurs in about 12% of calves nationwide. This study compares the prevalence of FTPI between calves raised on organic and conventional dairy farms, describes the colostral management practices on organic dairy farms in California, and recommends improvements. We compared serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations between calves raised on organic and conventional dairies and found that the odds of FTPI in calves raised in organic dairies were 2.5 times greater than in calves raised in conventional dairies. Focusing on varied practices in organic dairies, FTPI was 2.9 times more likely in calves fed less than 4 liters of colostrum within the first 24 hours, compared to calves fed more than that amount. We also found that organic dairy producers did not routinely monitor colostral IgG concentrations and passive immunity status. We recommend that organic dairy farmers adopt these practices to decrease the prevalence of FTPI in calves.https://doi.org/10.3733/001c.120614 |
| spellingShingle | Munashe Chigerwe Hannah M. Laurence Maire C. Rayburn Betsy M. Karle Promoting higher levels of immunity from colostrum among calves on organic dairy farms California Agriculture |
| title | Promoting higher levels of immunity from colostrum among calves on organic dairy farms |
| title_full | Promoting higher levels of immunity from colostrum among calves on organic dairy farms |
| title_fullStr | Promoting higher levels of immunity from colostrum among calves on organic dairy farms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Promoting higher levels of immunity from colostrum among calves on organic dairy farms |
| title_short | Promoting higher levels of immunity from colostrum among calves on organic dairy farms |
| title_sort | promoting higher levels of immunity from colostrum among calves on organic dairy farms |
| url | https://doi.org/10.3733/001c.120614 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT munashechigerwe promotinghigherlevelsofimmunityfromcolostrumamongcalvesonorganicdairyfarms AT hannahmlaurence promotinghigherlevelsofimmunityfromcolostrumamongcalvesonorganicdairyfarms AT mairecrayburn promotinghigherlevelsofimmunityfromcolostrumamongcalvesonorganicdairyfarms AT betsymkarle promotinghigherlevelsofimmunityfromcolostrumamongcalvesonorganicdairyfarms |