Robbers Lisa, Bijkerk Hannes J C, Koets Ad P, Benedictus Lindert, Nielen Mirjam, Jorritsma Ruurd
Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, Lelystad, Netherlands.
Front Vet Sci. 2021 Apr 6;8:656391. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.656391. eCollection 2021.
Colostrum feeding is essential for the transfer of passive immunity and health of newborn calves. Information on current colostrum management practices to reduce calf morbidity and mortality is important but lacking for Dutch dairy herds. We therefore conducted a survey to investigate colostrum management strategies on Dutch dairy farms. The survey was specifically focused on the most recently born calf and was returned by 107 respondents (response rate of 13.4%). The mean amount of colostrum fed at first feeding was 2.9 liters. Overall, 79% of farmers provided the calf with at least 6 liters of colostrum in up to three feedings. The majority of respondents (84%) claimed to provide the calf with colostrum for the first time within 2 h post-partum. Using ordinal logistic regression and Wilcoxon rank sum test, we found no differences in time to first colostrum feeding or total amount of colostrum fed between bull calves and heifer calves, respectively. Ordinal logistic regression showed no significant differences in time to first colostrum feeding or time between calving and removing the calf from the dam between AMS and conventional milking herds. Two sample -test comparing the total volume of colostrum showed no significant difference between AMS and conventional milking herds. Time of day at which a calf was born affected both volume fed at first colostrum feeding and time until first colostrum feeding. Calves born between 00.00 and 06.00 were significantly at risk of receiving the first colostrum later as compared to calves born at other times. Calves born in the evening received on average a lower amount of colostrum at first feeding. Survey results on colostrum management on most Dutch dairy farms are in agreement with the advice to feed as soon as possible after parturition and to provide at least 6 liters within 24 h of age. The current study points at time of calving as a potential risk factor for sub-optimal colostrum feeding. Further research is necessary to determine the consequences of this observation.
初乳喂养对于新生犊牛被动免疫的传递和健康至关重要。有关当前降低犊牛发病率和死亡率的初乳管理实践的信息很重要，但荷兰奶牛场却缺乏此类信息。因此，我们开展了一项调查，以探究荷兰奶牛场的初乳管理策略。该调查特别聚焦于最近出生的犊牛，共有107名受访者回复（回复率为13.4%）。首次喂养时初乳的平均喂养量为2.9升。总体而言，79%的养殖户在最多三次喂养中为犊牛提供了至少6升初乳。大多数受访者（84%）声称在产后2小时内首次给犊牛喂初乳。通过有序逻辑回归和威尔科克森秩和检验，我们发现公犊牛和母犊牛在首次喂初乳的时间或初乳总喂养量上分别没有差异。有序逻辑回归显示，在自动计量系统（AMS）挤奶的牛群和传统挤奶牛群之间，首次喂初乳的时间或产犊至将犊牛与母牛分开的时间没有显著差异。比较初乳总量的双样本检验显示，AMS挤奶牛群和传统挤奶牛群之间没有显著差异。犊牛出生的时间既影响首次喂初乳时的喂养量，也影响首次喂初乳的时间。与其他时间出生的犊牛相比，00:00至06:00之间出生的犊牛显著更有可能较晚接受首次初乳。傍晚出生的犊牛首次喂养时平均接受的初乳量较低。大多数荷兰奶牛场的初乳管理调查结果与产后尽快喂养并在犊牛24小时龄内提供至少6升初乳的建议一致。当前研究指出产犊时间是初乳喂养不理想的一个潜在风险因素。有必要进一步研究以确定这一观察结果的后果。
