Effects of method of colostrum feeding and colostrum supplementation on concentrations of immunoglobulin G in the serum of neonatal calves

Holstein heifer and bull calves (n = 52) at Ames Plantation (Grand Junction, TN) and Piedmont Research Station (Salisbury, NC) were blocked by sex and assigned randomly to receive 3.8 L of maternal colostrum in one feeding, 1.9 L in two feedings at a 10- to 12-h interval, or 1.9 L in two feedings at a 10- to 12-h interval plus 272 g of colostrum supplement at the first feeding. The colostrum supplement was mixed with 0.95 L of warm water and fed immediately following colostrum. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations were unaffected by the number of feedings and averaged 20.0 and 16.6 g/L at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Calves that were fed the colostrum supplement at the first feeding had lower serum IgG concentrations at 24 h (16.0 g/L) than did calves that were fed two colostrum feedings without supplementation (21.0 g/L); however, serum IgG concentrations at 48 h did not differ among treatments. Dry matter intake and body weight gain were unaffected by feeding method. Calves may be fed high quality colostrum in one or two feedings without affecting IgG absorption.