Differences in colostrum management and transfer of passive immunity between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves in Indiana and Michigan.

Abstract

The use of beef genetics in dairy herds is becoming increasingly popular due to higher value for dairy × beef crossbred compared to purebred dairy calves. While previous research has documented higher-quality neonatal care for female compared to male dairy calves, few studies have investigated colostrum management between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to 1) compare transfer of passive immunity (TPI) between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves and 2) investigate colostrum management practices associated with TPI on farms rearing both calf breeds. A blood sample was collected from the jugular vein of 12 purebred dairy and 12 dairy × beef crossbred calves (1 to 7 d of age) across 15 dairy farms to measure serum total protein (STP) concentration using serum refractometry. Sex, age, and breed were recorded for each calf. A 29-question survey was also administered to dairy farm managers that included questions on colostrum management, calf sale, and farm demographics. Descriptive statistics were computed for survey-based questions, and mixed effects ordinal regression models were created to evaluate factors at the calf and farm-level that were associated with TPI, categorized according to Lombard et al. (2020). Consensus recommendations on calf- and herd-level passive immunity in dairy calves in the United States. J. Dairy Sci. 103:7611-7624. doi:https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17955) as excellent TPI (STP ≥ 6.2 g/dL), good TPI (STP 5.8 to 6.1 g/dL), fair TPI (STP 5.1 to 5.7 g/dL), and poor TPI (STP < 5.1 g/dL). All farms reported similar colostrum management practices between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. Most farms (60%, 9/15) fed 2 colostrum feedings, 33% (5/15) of farms fed 1 colostrum feeding, and 7% (1/15) fed 3 or more colostrum feedings. Serum total protein concentration ranged from 3.2 to 8.0 g/dL, and the distribution of calves within each TPI category was: 20.8% (74/355) excellent, 25.4% (90/355) good, 26.5% (94/355) fair, and 27.3% (97/355) poor. There was no evidence to suggest differences in TPI between breeds. The reported timing of the first colostrum feeding influenced TPI; calves born on farms that reported feeding colostrum within 1 h after birth had reduced odds of being within a lower TPI category (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.77; P = 0.002). The results of this study indicate that colostrum management practices and TPI did not differ between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. Future research should continue to explore strategies to improve TPI for dairy calves regardless of breed.