Cows obtain most of their nutrients from forage, but forage quality and availability can vary significantly based on region, geography, rainfall and season. These fluctuations in forage quality can directly impact the quality of colostrum.
During gestation, especially in the final stages, cows experience a heightened demand for nutrients because over 75% of the calf’s development occurs during this time. In late gestation, a cow's energy requirements increase by 25%, and protein needs rise by 10%. Additionally, the demand for both trace and macro minerals increases.
If the forage quality falls short of meeting these increased energy and mineral requirements, cows may quickly lose body condition. Research shows that when this happens, colostrum quality and quantity are also compromised, which can have lasting negative effects on the health and performance of calves.
Four Ways to Increase Colostrum Quality at Calving:
To help mitigate these risks and ensure your calves receive the best start, consider these four strategies to increase colostrum quality at calving:
1. Add trace minerals
Research has shown that supplementing cows with adequate levels of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) can significantly increase immunoglobulin (antibody) concentrations in colostrum and reduce calf mortality, especially when organic trace minerals are used compared to inorganic ones.
While trace minerals are vital for improving colostrum quality, ensuring they are effectively absorbed by your herd is more challenging than it may seem. Factors like the source of the trace minerals, intake levels and the presence of antagonists (minerals that interfere with the absorption of others) can all impact how well these nutrients are absorbed.
The most effective trace minerals can bypass the rumen and remain bioavailable in the small intestine. This is often found in minerals with a covalent bond structure, which resists breakdown by rumen microbes and dissolves in rumen fluid, allowing for better absorption in the small intestine.
Dr. Jeff Hill, a Ralco Ruminant Nutritionist, recommends that cows in late gestation should intake at least 100% of their required trace minerals, ideally 25% more than the usual allowance to account for intake variations.
However, trace minerals are not particularly palatable to cattle. To ensure consistent intake, mineral formulations should include precise levels of salt and other palatable ingredients to maintain consumption.
Mineral antagonists can also pose absorption challenges. For example, copper (Cu) absorption can be hindered by high levels of molybdenum (Mo), iron (Fe) and sulfur (S), which can be abundant in certain grasses or feedstuffs depending on the region and type of feed.
A ruminant nutritionist can help assess the mineral content of your forage and adjust your mineral supplementation to avoid these absorption issues.
2. Monitor body condition
Body condition at calving is another critical factor influencing colostrum quality and calf health.
A body condition score (BCS) of at least 5 at calving is recommended to ensure optimal colostrum quality, calf health and a timely return to estrus for breeding. Cows with a BCS below 4 are too thin and need to gain body condition before calving, while those with a BCS of 7 or higher are at increased risk of dystocia (difficult births) and may produce lower quality and quantity colostrum.
For help scoring your cattle, online charts and visuals can help identify where your cattle are and where they need to be before calving.
To quickly improve body condition, ensure the diet provides adequate energy, commonly referred to as TDN (total digestible nutrients). Keep in mind that if TDN comes from forage, but it requires fermentation in the rumen to unlock this energy. Rumen microbes, which are responsible for this fermentation, need protein (crude protein) or nitrogen (N) to function effectively.
The correct ratio of TDN to CP (crude protein) in the forage diet is critical for efficient energy release. A ratio of 8:1 TDN or lower is ideal. If there’s too much TDN relative to CP, the microbes struggle to break down the forage. Conversely, an excess of CP will result in the animal excreting unused nitrogen.
Research from the University of Nebraska has shown that protein supplementation during late gestation can lead to heavier steers at birth compared to those born to cows without supplementation.
A ruminant nutritionist can evaluate the energy levels in your forage and recommend protein supplements if necessary before calving.
3. Increase cow energy status
It’s important to note that a cow’s body condition and protein/energy status are not always synonymous. Interestingly, cows in good body condition can still be protein-deficient, which can compromise their immune system and the quality of their colostrum.
A weakened immune system will not produce high-quality colostrum, which is rich in specialized proteins and antibodies essential for the calf’s immune protection.
Low-quality, protein-deficient grass can negatively impact colostrum quality and quantity. Ensuring your forage’s energy and protein levels are balanced, maintaining a TDN
ratio of 8:1, is key to optimizing colostrum.
Ruminant nutritionists advise that even balanced forage can sometimes be deficient in specific nutrients. Consulting with a nutritionist is always recommended to ensure your cows are fully benefiting from their forage and meeting their overall nutritional needs.
4. Strategically administer vaccinations
Administering vaccinations later in pregnancy is a common practice to boost the cow’s antibody levels, which are then passed to the calf through colostrum.
Cows begin transferring antibodies from their bloodstream to their mammary tissue three to five weeks before calving. Timing your vaccination schedule to align with this window is crucial. If vaccinations are given too early, the antibodies may not be sufficiently stored in the colostrum.
Consult with your veterinarian to develop an effective vaccination strategy that will help prevent scours and enhance antibody transfer to your calves.
Ensuring high-quality colostrum is critical for the health and performance of your calves, and it all starts with meeting your cows’ nutritional needs during gestation. By adding trace minerals, monitoring body condition, increasing energy status and strategically administering vaccinations, you can significantly improve colostrum quality at calving.
For personalized advice on optimizing your cow’s colostrum or selecting the right mineral supplement, schedule a free consultation with a ruminant specialist today. Call 507-337-6916 or email RuminantHelp@RalcoAgriculture.com to get started.
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References:
Hall, John B. “Management in Late Gestation Is Important to Two Calf Crops .” Extension Beef Cattle University of Idaho, University of Idaho,15 Jan. 2006.
Harvey KM, Cooke RF, Marques RDS. Supplementing Trace Minerals to Beef Cows during Gestation to Enhance Productive and Health Responses of the Offspring. Animals (Basel). 2021 Apr 18
Van Emon, Megan, et al. “Impacts of Bovine Trace Mineral Supplementation on Maternal and Offspring Production and HealthMe.” Montana State University, Department of Animal and Range Sciences, 9 Nov. 2020
Stalker, L. A., D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein, D. M. Feuz, and R. N. Funston. 2006. Effects of Pre- and Postpartum Nutrition on Reproduction in Spring Calving Cows and Calf Feedlot Performance. J. Anim. Sci. 84:2582–2589.
Stalker, L. A., D. C. Adams, T. J. Klopfenstein, D. M. Feuz, and R. N. Funston. 2006. Effects of Pre- and Postpartum Nutrition on Reproduction in Spring Calving Cows and Calf Feedlot Performance. J. Anim. Sci. 84:2582–2589.
“Pre-Calving Vaccinations for Pregnant Cows” Drovers, 4 Jan. 2016.
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