The Value of FPT Testing

Wondering what FPT is? It stands for ‘Failure of Passive Transfer’. When calves are born, unlike people, they have not received any antibodies to fight disease via the placenta. To get these antibodies, they need to absorb them through the gut by drinking their dams’ colostrum. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why this does not occur, and this results in failure of passive transfer, hence the need to check for this with FPT testing!

Calves not only need the antibodies from colostrum, but they also require its high fat and protein content, as well as the extra vitamins and minerals it contains compared with normal milk.

There are several important factors to minimise failure of passive transfer, and these can be simplified by remembering the 6 Qs:

• Quickly – ideally feed within six hours of birth. Every hour counts and after 12 hours, it is too late.
• Quality – use a Brix Refractometer to measure the concentration of antibodies in the colostrum. Ideally, calves should be fed colostrum with a Brix >22.
• Quantity – most calves can be fed between three and four litres (10% bodyweight) in their first feed and a further two litres within 12 hours of birth.
• Quietly – stress can affect absorption, so handle calves quietly and gently, and ensure that they are kept warm.
• sQueaky clean – any dirt absorbed along with colostrum reduces its absorption from the intestine. Also, if bacteria contaminate the colostrum, the ‘Brix’ reading will drop, so keep all gear squeaky clean.
• Quantify – this is where we FPT test to measure how well we are carrying out all of the above.

FPT testing should be done on 12 calves who are between one and seven days old. To get the most value from this test, do it as early in the season as possible, because then you can intervene for the rest of your replacements if there is a problem. We recommend that you repeat this test at least twice again through calving, and also ensure that you test at peak calving when failure of passive transfer rates tend to be at their highest.

Calves with FPT have a higher risk of disease and death at the start of their lives. On top of this, research has shown that they will have slower growth rates and produce less milk once they are in the herd. So, to ensure we are as efficient milk producers as possible, this needs to start with our colostrum management right at the beginning of our heifers’ lives. If you and your staff are a little rusty on this, then please ask your veterinarian to do a refresher training session on colostrum management.

To get this right, we need all staff on farm to be involved in the training, not just the calf rearers. We then recommend your first FPT test – ideally for July – to monitor how it works. Contact us to find out more.