Antibody Testing for Better Calves

Summary

The primary objective of this project was to reduce the economic loss associated with disease and mortality of calves. Since immunity to disease is passed on to the calf through colostrum soon after birth, Professional Calf Rearers Association quantified the extent of low colostrum intake in dairy bull calves in Victoria, and analysed its impact on calf mortality. They used serum GGT (gamma-glutamyl-transferase) analysis as an indicator of prior colostrum intake, so they could identify and reject substandard calves, thereby improving the quality of calves available to calf rearers.