[Colostrum management practices on farms with high calf losses in Lower Saxony, Germany]. / Kolostrummanagement in Betrieben mit hohen Kälberverlusten in Niedersachsen.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to record the management of colostrum supply for calves on dairy farms in Lower Saxony facing challenges with increased calf mortality as well as to identify associated problems. Targeted advice concerning possibilities for improving management was provided in order to evaluate whether these consultations would lead to changes in the colostrum management and improve the calves' colostrum supply (measured by the total protein concentration in the blood serum of calves and the incidence of diarrhea). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analyses were performed on 56 dairy farms in Lower Saxony, facing a calf mortality of at least 20 % in 2014 and keeping a minimum of 30 dairy cows. Single-housed calves with an average age of 1-14 days were examined. Each farm was visited twice during an interval of 8-10 months, with an identical daily routine at both visits. Data on the topics of colostrum management and calf health were recorded using a questionnaire and the farm was inspected. All single-housed calves were subjected to a clinical examination. The total protein concentration in the blood of calves aged between 1 and 7 days was examined in order to draw conclusions concerning their colostrum supply. RESULTS: Only few, insignificant changes in management were evident between the 2 visits. Therefore, no conclusions were possible concerning the influence of the provided advice on colostrum management. Nevertheless, the data showed that the colostrum management on a large part of the farms was in need of improvement with regard to the time of feeding, the amount offered, the method of supply and monitoring its effect. The data on measured total protein concentration also showed that at both visits only a small proportion of the farms adequately managed the colostrum supply. CONCLUSION: Many farmers remain unaware of the pronounced importance of colostrum supply for newborn calves. In many of the surveyed farms with high calf losses, a need for improvement in the area of colostrum management was evident.