Kolostrummanagement in Betrieben mit hohen Kälberverlusten in Niedersachsen

 

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Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel Das Ziel der Studie war, in Milchkuhbetrieben mit erhöhten Kälberverlusten in Niedersachsen das bestandsspezifische Management der Kolostrumversorgung zu erfassen und Probleme aufzudecken. Es erfolgte eine zielgerichtete Beratung zum Management, um zu evaluieren, ob diese Änderungen des Kolostrummanagements bewirken und die Kolostrumversorgung der Kälber in den Betrieben (gemessen an der Gesamteiweißkonzentration im Blutserum und der Häufigkeit des Auftretens von Durchfallerkrankungen) verbessern kann.

Material und Methoden Die Untersuchungen fanden in 56 Milchkuhbetrieben in Niedersachsen statt, die im Jahr 2014 eine Kälberverlustrate von mindestens 20 % aufwiesen und mindestens 30 Milchkühe hielten. Untersucht wurden Kälber im Alter von 1–14 Lebenstagen. Jeder Betrieb wurde 2-mal im Abstand von 8–10 Monaten besucht, wobei zu beiden Zeitpunkten ein identischer Tagesablauf eingehalten wurde. Daten zu den Themen Kolostrummanagement und Kälbergesundheit wurden anhand eines Fragebogens erfasst, der Betrieb wurde besichtigt und alle Kälber in Einzelhaltung unterlagen einer klinischen Untersuchung. Bei Kälbern im Alter von 1–7 Lebenstagen wurde die Gesamteiweißkonzentration im Blutserum untersucht, um den Erfolg der Kolostrumversorgung zu bewerten.

Ergebnisse In den Datensätzen der beiden Durchgänge differierte das Antwortverhalten der Landwirte im Fragebogen nicht signifikant, sodass sich keine Rückschlüsse auf die Einflussnahme der Beratung auf das Kolostrummanagement ziehen ließen. Dennoch zeigte sich anhand der Daten, dass das Kolostrummanagement in einem Großteil der Betriebe in Bezug auf Zeitpunkt der Fütterung, angebotene Menge, Methode der Versorgung und Überprüfung des Erfolgs verbesserungswürdig war. Die anhand der Gesamteiweißkonzentration beurteilte Kolostrumversorgung wies ebenfalls darauf hin, dass zu beiden Besuchszeitpunkten nur in einem kleinen Anteil der Betriebe alle Kälber ausreichend mit Kolostrum versorgt wurden.

Schlussfolgerung Die große Bedeutung der Kolostrumversorgung bei neugeborenen Kälbern scheint vielen Landwirten noch immer nicht bewusst zu sein. In vielen der untersuchten Betriebe mit hohen Kälberverlusten war ein Verbesserungsbedarf im Bereich Kolostrummanagement zu verzeichnen.

Abstract

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.

Publication History

Received: 22 February 2021

Accepted: 23 July 2021

Article published online:
03 December 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

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