A high plane of nutrition can reduce the effect of disease due to Cryptosporidium parvum in neonatal dairy calves, according to a recent study by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Calves fed the high plane of nutrition maintained hydration, had faster resolution of diarrhea, grew more, and demonstrated greater feed efficiency than calves fed a conventional diet.  In fact, calves on the conventional diet had weight loss, while calves on the higher plane of nutrition continued to grow in spite of the disease challenge.  Graduate student Theresa Ollivett presented a summary of the research at the 2009 American Association of Bovine Practitioners’ annual conference.

About the study
Twenty-nine Holstein bull calves were enrolled in the study after a clean delivery and being fed four liters of heat-treated colostrum within one hour of birth.  Calves were randomly assigned to be fed either a conventional plane of nutrition or a high plane of nutrition using commercially available milk replacers. Calves were fed for 21 days (42 feedings).

On day 3, all calves were inoculated with C. parvum oocysts (eggs).  Calves were monitored for health score, fecal score, oocyst count, hydration status based on packed cell volume, dry matter intake, average daily weight gain, and feed efficiency.  Results showed that the two groups of calves showed no difference in peak or total shedding, onset of shedding and duration of shedding.  However, significant differences were shown for hydration status, resolution of diarrhea, average daily weight gain and feed efficiency.

About Cryptosporidium parvum
The organism C. parvum is a parasite that infects calves ages 3 days to 3 weeks and causes cryptosporidiosis, which leads to scours.  Dehydration resulting from the diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in young dairy calves.  The organism is difficult to prevent and treat, and it is prevalent on 60 percent to 90 percent of North American dairy farms.  Calves can be infected via contact with manure excreted from infected calves. When a calf eats the oocysts (eggs), they go to the calf’s intestines and bury themselves into the intestinal wall and release the disease-causing bug.  Then, calves are not able to properly absorb water, nutrients and electrolytes from their ration. Weight loss, dehydration, and even death ensue.

“The results of this study clearly demonstrate that calves fed with a higher plane of nutrition are better able to handle stresses such as disease, and when faced with a challenge, continued growing,” explains Dr. Tom Earleywine, director of nutritional services for Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Products.  “It’s worth the extra investment when calves are young because ultimately they can pay you back with earlier weaning, earlier breeding and calving, and greater production.”