Abstract
The colostrum intake of naturally suckled Japanese Black cattle calves was examined using a simplified blood property assessment, and the effects of subsequent colostrum supplementation on the incidence of diarrhoea and on growth were studied in calves that were determined to have an insufficient colostrum intake. Reference values for the total plasma proteins and the sodium dulphite turbidity score 9 h after birth were set according to the values obtained from 31 healthy calves that had received an adequate intake of colostrum. Any calf with a test value below these reference values received a 500-mL does of colostrum supplement. The incidence of diarrhoea, number of days required for diarrfoea treatment, mortality rates and daily weight gain were investigated during the first 60 days of life in calves born during the 9 months before (total of 117 calves) and after (total of 123 calves) the colostrum supplementation. The necessity of before (total of 117 calves) and after (total of 123 calves) the colostrum supplementation. The necessity of colostrum supplementation could be determined within 15 min of blood sampling, with 13% of the calves requiring supplementaion. Compared with values obtained during pre-supplementation, the incidence of diarrhoea declined, the number of days required for diarrhoea treatment reduced and the mortality rate dropped from 2.6% to 0% in the post-supplementation group. Little difference was observed between the two groups regarding the growth rate. These results suggest the potential benefits of colostrum supplementation on controlling the incidence of diarrhoea and the alleviation of its symptoms.
