Differences in colostrum management and transfer of passive immunity between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves in Indiana and Michigan

Authors: KERN, JESSICA - Purdue University; JORGENSEN, MATT - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); BOERMAN, JACQUELYN - Purdue University; ERASMUS, MARISA - Purdue University; JOHNSON, JAY - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); Pempek, Jessica

Submitted to: Translational Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/2025
Publication Date: 6/14/2025
Citation: Kern, J., Jorgensen, M.W., Boerman, J.P., Erasmus, M., Johnson, J.S., Pempek, J.A. 2025. Differences in colostrum management and transfer of passive immunity between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves in Indiana and Michigan. Translational Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf062.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf062

Interpretive Summary: There is an increasing trend in the dairy industry to breed dairy cows to beef sires, producing dairy × beef crossbred calves. While research on early-life management of purebred dairy calves is extensive, relatively little research has investigated the management of this calf population. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate colostrum management and transfer of passive immunity (an indicator of calf immune status from colostrum) between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. A survey was administered to 15 dairy producers to understand colostrum management, and one blood sample was collected from 24 calves per farm (12 purebred dairy and 12 dairy × beef crossbred calves) to assess transfer of passive immunity. There was no evidence to suggest differences in transfer of passive immunity between the two calf breeds, and producers reported similar colostrum management between them. The reported timing of the first colostrum feeding, however, was associated with transfer of passive immunity; calves born on farms with producers reporting the first colostrum feeding within 1 hour after birth had increased transfer of passive immunity compared to those reporting 1 to 6 h after birth.

Technical Abstract: The use of beef genetics in dairy herds is becoming increasingly popular due to higher value for dairy × beef crossbred compared to purebred dairy calves. While previous research has documented higher-quality neonatal care for female compared to male dairy calves, few studies have investigated colostrum management between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to 1) compare transfer of passive immunity (TPI) between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves and 2) investigate colostrum management practices associated with TPI on farms rearing both calf breeds. A blood sample was collected from the jugular vein of 12 purebred dairy and 12 dairy × beef crossbred calves (1 to 7 d of age) across 15 dairy farms to measure serum total protein (STP) concentration using serum refractometry. Sex, age, and breed were recorded for each calf. A 29-question survey was also administered to dairy farm managers that included questions on colostrum management, calf sale, and farm demographics. Descriptive statistics were computed for survey-based questions, and mixed effects ordinal regression models were created to evaluate factors at the calf and farm-level that were associated with TPI, categorized according to Lombard et al. (2020) as excellent TPI (STP = 6.2 g/dL), good TPI (STP 5.8-6.1 g/dL), fair TPI (STP 5.1-5.7 g/dL), and poor TPI (STP < 5.1 g/dL). All farms reported similar colostrum management practices between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. Most farms (60%, 9/15) fed 2 colostrum feedings, 33% (5/15) of farms fed 1 colostrum feeding, and 7% (1/15) fed 3 or more colostrum feedings. Serum total protein concentration ranged from 3.2 to 8.0 g/dL, and the distribution of calves within each TPI category was: 20.8% (74/355) excellent, 25.4% (90/355) good, 26.5% (94/355) fair, and 27.3% (97/355) poor. There was no evidence to suggest differences in TPI between breeds. The reported timing of the first colostrum feeding influenced TPI; calves born on farms that reported feeding colostrum within 1 h after birth had reduced odds of being within a lower TPI category (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.77; P = 0.002). The results of this study indicate that colostrum management practices and TPI did not differ between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. Future research should continue to explore strategies to improve TPI for dairy calves regardless of breed.