Colostrum quality in Belgian blue beef cattle and its association with helminth infections

This article describes the assessment of immunoglobuline (Ig) G concentration in the colostrum of Belgian blue beef cows and an investigation of its association with serological status against helminth infections (i.e. Ostertagia ostertagi and Fasciola hepatica). In the discussion, we go more deeply into cow-related factors and environmental factors that are known to influence the bovine colostrum quality. Colostral Ig G concentrations were measured in 103 cows and showed great variation: the majority of the colostra studied had a low ( 50 mg/ml). This variation was not significantly related to the serological status against helminth infections. Factors with known influence on bovine colostrum quality can be divided into cow-related factors (age, genetics, disease), seasonal factors, climate factors and management factors (lactation and dry-off management, feed, temperature and administration of hormones and vaccines). Knowledge of these factors can be used to improve colostrum management in cattle farms