“A calf has no immunity at birth. By giving high-quality colostrum as soon as possible, you give the calf much more resistance,” Nicolien explains. That is why Nicolien advocates quick, large, fresh colostrum: at least four litres of colostrum with a brix value of at least 23 two hours after calving.
Passive immunity thanks to colostrum
Colostrum ensures the development of passive immunity. The graph below clearly shows that the calf starts without antibodies, but quickly builds up antibodies thanks to the colostrum. “The better the colostrum management, the more antibodies the calf receives and the higher the passive immunity,” Nicolien explains. The yellow dotted line shows the effect between good colostrum (above a brix value of 23%) and moderate colostrum (with a brix value below 23%) or too low a colostrum supply (less than six litres of colostrum in the first 24 hours).
Use colostrum from your own mother
Preferably use colostrum from your own mother. Using colostrum from another cow can result in the transmission of diseases such as para-TBC, IBR or BVD.
Active immunity is built up by the calf itself
From birth, the calf builds up active immunity. This takes more time. “The graph clearly shows that passive immunity decreases and the calf starts to develop active immunity. This is always the crucial point in the first fourteen days of the calf’s life. Around this time, a calf is susceptible to calf diarrhoea or pneumonia”, says Nicolien.
Extra support
Sometimes a calf needs extra support, for example with a twin calf, a premature calf or if the circumstances are not optimal. In that case, you can provide the calf with extra support with health additives in the milk powder. With Kalvolac CAIR® you can support the airways. With Kalvolac Start, a powder with antibodies and a real boost for the first two weeks of life, it provides support for intestinal health and the immune system. The young cattle specialist in your region will be happy to help you give your calves the best resistance.