As part of its ongoing drive to provide breeders with new solutions to improve the performance and health of their herds, the Idena Ruminants team has been looking at the farrowing preparation phase, and in particular how it affects colostrum quality.
Good preparation for farrowing is part of the overall preventive health plan to reduce the use of antibiotics on livestock farms. This stage has a major influence on the quality of colostrum, which enables the transfer of passive immunity from the mother to the newborn. In fact, many consider the feeding of the tari animal to be the most important phase in the herd’s production cycle.
In ruminants, syndesmochorial placentation prevents the passage of large molecules and fat-soluble substances from the mother’s blood to the fetus. These accumulate in the udder, where they enter the composition of colostrum.
Contributions of colostrum:
Colostrum is produced in the udder, starting at the onset of dry period. Components are transferred from the blood to the udder, in particular immunoglobulins, the quantity of which accumulated in the last three weeks before parturition represents up to 1.5 kg in dairy cows! At the same time, concentrations in the blood of pregnant females tend to fall, making them more vulnerable to pathogens, dietary imbalances and other stresses.
Technical points of reference during farrowing:
Colostrum composition changes very rapidly in the hours following farrowing. Immunoglobulin levels drop, as does the young animal’s capacity to absorb them.
Composed of an original combination of plants with complementary antioxidant properties, Transvitel is used to boost animals’ natural immunity during high-risk periods such as late gestation.
The latest trials conducted on suckling ewes at AgroParisTech show a clear improvement in the quality of the mothers’ colostrum, as well as better lamb growth thereafter. Transvitel was distributed continuously for one month before and one month after farrowing.
