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Evaluation of colostrum IgG concentration
Country: France
Dairy or/and meat sheep: both
Source of information: UMT SPR and CIIRPO
Level of solution:
X |
Knowledge |
X |
Practical |
|
Just Being Tested |
Aim: to evalutate the IgG concentration of colostrum using on-farm inexpensive practical tools
Description:
- The IgG concentration is estimated on farm with either:
- Brix refractometer (optical or digital)
- Colostrometer
- The colostrum sample should be done within 4 hours after lambing
- a A4 sheet which describes how to use these tolls and proposes decision thresholds to grade colostrum quality from poor to excellent
Expected benefits:
Colostrum: selection of good quality colostrum to be kept frozen and to be delivered to lambs whose ewe does not have enough production. Improves the transfer of passive immunity in lambs.
Prerequisites and/or limits (knowledge, training, capabilities, cost, management, facilities, equipment, etc.): buying a brix refractometer (optical or digital), making colostrum samples shortly after lambing.
Tips and Tricks
References:
QUIGLEY, J.D., LAGO, A., CHAPMAN, C., ERICKSON, P. and POLO, J., 2013. Evaluation of the Brix refractometer to estimate immunoglobulin G concentration in bovine colostrum. Journal of Dairy Science. February 2013. Vol. 96, no. 2, p. 1148–1155
BIELMANN, V., GILLAN, J., PERKINS, N.R., SKIDMORE, A.L., GODDEN, S. and LESLIE, K.E., 2010. An evaluation of Brix refractometry instruments for measurement of colostrum quality in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. August 2010. Vol. 93, no. 8, p. 3713–3721; CHIGERWE M, TYLER, JW., MIDDLETON, JR., SPAIN, JN., DILL, JS. and STEEVENS, BJ., 2008. Comparison of four methods to assess colostral IgG concentration in dairy cows. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2008. Vol. 233, no. 5, p. 761–766.
Expected impacts:
Country |
France |
|
Partner |
INRA |
|
Topic |
LAMBING – MANAGEMENT |
|
Issue |
Colostrum issues: (e.g. quantity, quality and intake) |
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Solution No/Name |
evaluation of colostrum IgG concentration |
|
Service provider/technicians+vet or farmers |
||
Benefit |
||
Benefit expected |
Increase productivity |
|
System |
||
Is the solution suitable for various production systems |
Y |
|
If no – for which system |
|
|
Cost |
||
What are the asset costs |
<100 |
|
What are the maintenance costs |
<50 |
|
Any limits to its applicability |
|
|
|
||
Work Load |
||
|
Farmers |
Service provider/tech.-vet-others |
How much time is required to prepare and implement the solution |
<1 day |
<1 day |
How many people is needed to implement the solution? |
1 |
|
Timing |
||
How long it takes to get results? |
Immediate |
|
How long it takes to see an effect on sheep productivity? |
current production period |
|
Equipment/Facility |
||
|
Farmers |
Service provider/technicians-vet-others |
What kind of equipment/tool are necessary? |
Digital or optical refractometer |
none |
Skill/Knowledge-Training (farmer) |
||
Does the solution need any specific skill/knowledge or training? |
See once how to do |
|
How much time will be required for training |
<1 day |
|
Wider Environment |
||
Is there any particular regulation link to the solution? |
none |
|
Does the solution need any particular structure or organisation? |
no |
|
Other Comments |
||
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Country |
IRL, ES, UK |
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Solution No/Name |
47-B2 |
|
Farmer/Service provider/technicians-vet-others |
1 F |
3 A |
Why did you select this solution? |
To check the colostrum quality et adapt the quantity/lamb. To control the lamb passive immunity |
|
Was it easy to implement? |
Yes, except if the lambing is outside |
|
If not say what are the identified drawbacks? |
If the lambing is outside, implementation may be much more difficult to do, according to contention and climatic conditions. |
|
Did you need to adapt it? |
Yes, but explanations of basic knowledge is sometimes required |
|
If yes, how? |
References for each breed |
|
Were you happy with the outcome of the solution? |
|
|
What were the outcomes? |
Identify the ewes with good colostrum quality Identify nutrition issues Have stronger lambs, less mortality |
|
Score the solution |
Interesting and easy to implement |
|
Will you continue to implement it? |
Yes |
|
If not, for which reasons? |
|
|
Comments/Additions |
There is a big difference between the ewes lambing inside and outside. It is good to compare the ewes. A good indicator of ewes nutrition. To be recommended to other farmers, need training and transfer to the sector, should be included as a common practice in the flock. Improving colostrum and hygiene is encouraged to fight pathological problems. Easy to implement. Colostrum should be pasteurized. |
Testimony from Irish farmers:
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Testimony from UK adviser:
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