Feeding whole milk to calves
can increase the risk of infections
There are a number of bovine pathogens that cows can shed in milk. This does however not automatically mean that feeding whole milk to calves plays an important role in spreading all of these aforementioned calf pathogens! Apart from the risk of direct transmission via infected milk, feeding whole milk will increase the amount of human traffic between cows and calves, increaseing the risk of calves getting infected via faeces from cows suffering from disease.
Johne's disease in dairy calves
Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (MAP) which is the cause of Johne’s disease in calves and can be shed via colostrum, milk and via faeces of infected cows. The amount of shedding of mycobacterium paratuberculosis through milk is low compared to the amount of shedding via faeces, but milk can easily be contaminated with faeces containing MAP during the milking process. For this reason, feeding whole milk to calves increases the risk of Johne’s disease. A Sprayfo technical bulletin with morte details about eradication of Johne's disease is available.
Salmonella infections, Mycoplasma bovis and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea
Salmonella infections occur mostly in young dairy calves. Cows can become carriers of the infection for the rest of their lives and often start shedding Salmonella in the 1st week after calving. Cows infected with Salmonella can shed bacteria mainly via faeces but also via milk.
A Salmonella control programme should be based on strict hygiene. Direct and indirect contact of calves with milk and faeces from cows which could potentially be shedders of Salmonell infection should be avoided. Therefore, feeding whole milk to dairy calves on a farm infected with Salmonella increases the risk of infection.
Mycoplasma bovis infections can cause mastitis, abortion in cows, pneumonia and ear infections in calves and arthritis in cattle of all ages. Mycoplasma bacteria spread through direct contact between animals or via rodents, but can also be transmitted via contaminated equipment or through feeding of infected milk. Feeding whole milk, particularly waste milk, is therefore an important risk factor for bovine mycoplasma infections in dairy calves.
Cows can shed bovine viral diarrhoea virus in milk, but the most important source of infection are calves and cows persistently infected with BVD. A control programme should therefore involve identifying and culling BVD shedders and pregnant animals should be protected against BVD infection by vaccination. Infection through milk is extremely uncommon, so feeding calf milk replacer instead of whole milk is not a requirement for a control programme on a farm infected with BVD.
Some farmers believe that feeding mastitis milk can cause disease in dairy calves. Out of the bacteria commonly causing bovine mastitis, only E. coli is a known cause of calf scours, but strains involved in bovine mastitis are different from the strains involved in calf scours. Furthermore, cows recovering from E. coli mastitis do not shed bacteria in milk. Therefore, feeding waste milk containing mastitis pathogens does not increase the risk of disease in dairy calves.
There is however a serious risk that feeding waste milk containing antibiotics results in induction of antimicrobial resistance.
The science behind Sprayfo.
Health risks explained through scientific insights.
Download the special Sprayfo technical bulletins for more information on calf health issues. There are technical bulletins called "Johne's disease in calves", "Disease risks asscociated with feeding whole milk to calves" and "The risk of induction of AMR as a result of feeding waste milk".
You can access all of our documentation such as the science behind Sprayfo and LifeStart research documents, Sprayfo technical bulletins about various calf diseases and technical product data sheets or feeding schedules.
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Download the special Sprayfo technical bulletins for more information on calf health issues. There are technical bulletins called "Johne's disease in calves", "Disease risks asscociated with feeding whole milk to calves" and "The risk of induction of AMR as a result of feeding waste milk".
Sprayfo
Calf rearing
Science-based solutions for optimum dairy performance
SPRAYFO COLOSTRUM
In case of low quality or quantity colostrum on farm, an alternative to natural colostrum can be provided with Sprayfo Colostrum: a feed material perfectly suitable to be provided as a colostrum replacer or supplement for calves.
SPRAYFO OSMOFIT
Sprayfo OsmoFit is a dietetic complementary feed for calves, developed to stabilize the water and electrolyte balance to support physiological digestion in case of diarrhoea. This patent pending formula allows for effective recovery and correction of metabolic acidosis.
SPRAYFO HYDRAFIT
Sprayfo HydraFit is a complementary feed for ruminants that provides the needed salts and sugars in the right amounts and in the correct ratio. HydraFit uses a method with a pending patent that allows for fast intake of water and supply of electrolytes and maintain hydration status.
SPRAYFO DELTA
Sprayfo Delta has been developed with whole milk as the biological reference, mixing the best of whole milk with the best of calf milk replacers (CMRs). Inspired by saleable milk, Sprayfo Delta is high in fat, ensuring calves gets a high level of energy. Combined with a perfect balance of vitamins and minerals calves will get the best possible start in life.
SPRAYFO ROYAL
With its superior quality and a milk powder content of 50% Sprayfo Royal is a front-rank LifeStart endorsed calf milk replacer in the market. Sprayfo Royal contributes to problem-free calf rearing: calves will drink it enthusiastically, show optimal health and grow maximally.
SPRAYFO EXCELLENT
Sprayfo Excellent is a LifeStart endorsed high-quality calf milk replacer for dairy farmers who place the highest demands on their calf rearing. With Sprayfo Excellent you can elevate concentrations to a high level: up to 150 grams per litre of milk.
SPRAYFO VITESSE
Sprayfo Vitesse is a LifeStart endorsed calf milk replacer for dairy farmers who place the highest demands on their calf rearing. Sprayfo Vitesse is easily digestible and very suitable to elevate concentrations up to 150 grams per litre of milk.
SPRAYFO YELLOW
A LifeStart endorsed calf milk replacer for dairy farmers who opt for a familiar and trusted formula. Your step into the professional league of calf rearing.
SPRAYFO BLUE
Sprayfo Blue provides a well-balanced blend for proper calf rearing. Sprayfo Blue is based on unique spray-dried whey-fat kernels. Following the Sprayfo feeding and mixing advice your calves will develop well in the first few months.
SPRAYFO RED
Sprayfo Red is a calf milk replacer for economical and secure calf rearing. Sprayfo Red is very easily dissolved due to the unique spray-drying production process. It can be fed as from day 10 after birth.
SPRAYFO eVITO
Coming soon! Sprayfo e-Vito is the first energised calf starter feed that is being develop by Trouw Nutrition. Two trials in Holstein dairy calves have been carried out to date. In the first trial, carried out by IRTA in Spain, it was established that mixing in 10% energised calf starter pellet into the normal calf starter gives optimal results.
SPRAYFO AVANTA
Sprayfo Avanta Calf Starter is based on research and experience resulting in a balanced formulation and when combined with Sprayfo calf milk replacers, Sprayfo Avanta is the basis for the best rumen development for calves in the first months: facilitating trouble free weaning and the best growth up to an age of 4 months.
